The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-01-06

| her ports ana lSlands, 10 JOIN THIS Union.
| Robert STEMS Arctic Project.
II is curious to observe that Baffln Land.
next to Greenland the largest known island
| In the Arctic regions. was long represented
on the maps as group OF Islands. while the
land masses north OF BafIln Land and
North Devon are still shown as a single
island. though most authorities believe they
are cut up by straits into two and perhaps
| three islands. The Eskimos are natural ge-
ographers. and their testimony that Hayes
| Sound entirely separates Grant and Grin
nell Lands from Ellesmere Land is entitled
to consideration. Baflln Land has been ex-
| plored to some extent, and the recent work
| OF Professor FRANZ BoAs, who spent win
| ter among the Esklmos there. has added
| much material to our earlier Information.
Grant Land and Grinnell Land. thanks
| chiefly to the MARES and GREEDY exped-
tons, have been clearly outlined on most OF
their coasts and more light has been thrown
upon their inland topography than upon
| that Of any other region so far north: but
| Ellesmere Land. the far more accessible
| region. between them and Bafln Land. has
| almost escaped attention. We know next to
| nothing OF this region except what has, Incl
| dentally. been learned OF lite coast while
| tracing tho confines OF Balm Bay and
| Jones Sound.
1t is surprising that this region. advan-
taGeously situated on the confines OF the
unknown. has been so long neglected.
| Every year the whalcrs come within sight
| OF its southern shores: and In every season
men and supplies may as safely and surely
be landed there as at Liverpool. The short
channel Of Jones Sound. which washes its
| southern border. leads directly into the I'M
known seas north Of the Parry Archipelago.
| The FRANKLIN search led to the discovery
and mapping OF this group OF great islands.
The entire Polar ocean north OF the latitude
Of Jones Sound is practically unknown ex-
| cept on the Euro-Asiatic side. Human
| curiosity has been large factor In pro-
noting Polar research. and were there no
other impelling motive. it seems strange
that this natural gateway on the threshold
OF the unknown has not long before this
been used rs basis from which to push
outward in quest OF new discoveries.
The broad facts to be Immediately learned
by such an enterprise are the western
limits OF tho large mass of Ellesmere
Land. the very probable extension OF the
eastern part OF the Parry Archipelago to-
ward tho north. and tho solution OF the
Hayes Sound problem. showing whether
| Ellesmere Land ia an sisland. as Is most
likely. or is Joined to the northern lands
This inquiry is the first step in the elaborate
programme OF Arctic study devised by Mr.
| ROBEEr STEIN. who for nine years past has
been employed In the office OF the United
States Geological Survey.
Mr. STRry nxnacta tn start with q ANAL
! party early next summer. Upon reaching
Jones Sound he will build his house at or
near Cape Tennyson. on Ellesmere Land.
A whaling firm has agreed to transport
eight or nine men at q reasonable price.
and to bring the party back In the fall. II
the ice conditions in Jones Sound permit.
Mr., STEIN hopes to make boat journey of
eight or nine weeks to the west coast Of
EIlesmere Land. surveying it as far north
as Hayes Sound. and scanning the western
sea. as far as his opportunities permit. for
new islands.
The Eskimos have reported that one OF
their tribes. never seen by white mon. lives
on the west side of Ellesmers Land. There
is no doubt that at one time this region
was inhabited. or at least that hunting par
ties from the south made prolonged So
journs there. for not few traces Of the ma
tives have been found on the eastern shores.
But no explorer or whaler has ever seen
native who lived In Elesmere Land. The
Eskimo name for the country is the Land
of the Musk Ok; but all indications point
10 the almost total disappearance OF
large game, and it is likely that the natives
long ago abandoned Ellesmere Land as q
hunting field and place Of residence. How
ever. Mr., STEIN will probably find on the
west coast numerous traces of natives who
never came into contact with the white
race; and the remains he discovers may
give ms some now insight into the PRINT
tive characteristics u this interesting
branch OF the human family.
Most Of the party will return home next
fall. but Mr.. STEIN will merely have en-
tered upon the first stages Of his work.
The house on Ellesmere Land will be his
primary station, the base Of future opera
tions. situated where II should be. within
easy reach, every year. OF tho civilized
world. Subsidiary stations will gradually
BE- established further north. hundred or
more miles apart each with its comfortable
house, boats. ample provisions supplied
from the primary station, and weapons and
apparatus foe levying tribute upon tho
animal kingdom. The permanent force at
each secondary station Is never TO exceed
five men. trained TO observe every aspect
OF nature. Mr.. STEMS idea is eventual