The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-10-11
THE PESTS OF THE
ARCTIC,

Thundcretorms, mosquitoes and gi-
gantlc spiders. One would say, on
FIRST thought. that the reference is to
the temperate zone OF the tropics, but
that would be wrong II is the Arctic
region where. In biting cold, the mos.
quito and poisonous spider are pests
equal TO those OF the tropics, and
where thunderstorms jar and annoy
The New York Sun, speaking of the
enthusiasts in polar exploration says
that they almost invariably deem il
needful TO justify the risk of life and
limb involved in such enterprises by
eXpatiating upon the advancement of
science which will result from Arctic
or Antarctic travel. There was much
In this line OF argument prior TO the
location Of the magnetic pole: but
since then the scientific advantages
to be derived from Arctic investiga.
ton appear to have been somewhat
exaggerated The interest In the var
lous cndeavors TO reach the North pole
has naturally been immense: but very
little OF this interest has been Of a
truly scientific character. In recent
years at least.
In the midst Of the row about the re-
spectlve achievements OF Cook and
Peary comes the announcement from
San Francisco of a notable journey
in the Arctic by whneman. w J.
Bower by name. In a gasoline schoon-
er he and his party made their way to
Prince Albert Land. the northernmost
extremity OF Alaska. and explored the
!nterior OF the country, whose inhabi
tants they describe as Indians rather
than Esklmos. This difference is
contribution to chronological science.
while Captain Bower announces an
equally interesting discovery in zool-
ogy. There is curious spider in
Prince Albert Land which attaIns the
enormous length of six inches and
which Is as dangerous as II is big
One of these creatures, which abound
there in the spring time. bit the cx-
plorer. and the resulting wound was so
serious that 1t destroyed the sight OF
one Of his eyes. Most people no more
think of associating spiders with the ,
Arctic than they would think OF asso.
ciating white bears with the Amazon.
The fact is. however. that the polar
regions present some striking curios-
tiles Of climate and natural history.
We have before us the Narrative |
OF Journey to the Shores of the Pol |
ar Sea in the Years 1919. 20. 2l and |
22. by John Franklin, Captain R ",
+. r. S. and Commander of the En-. |
petition the American edition Of |
which was published at Philadelphia in |
1924 In this volume Sir John Frank |
lin. one of the most famous of all Arc.
tic explorers. gives an account of his
celebrated journey TO the mouth of the |
Coppermine river and eastward from
Its mouth along the shores Of the Polar
SGD INNpSdleuiS Ill MS ndTTdtlNe DO
We find mention of Arctic thunder
storms and complaint OF the bitter an.
noyance which the travellers suffered
from the Arctic mosquitoes. When
actually on the seacoast he says OF
these pests:
There was a sharp frost last night
which formed a pretty thick crust of
Ice in a kettle OF water tha; stood In
the tents Notwithstanding this state
OF temperature. We were tormented by
swarms Of mosquitoes; we had per-
suaded ourselves that these pests could
not sustain the cold in the vicinity OF
the sea, but 1t appears they haunt
every part Of this country in defiance
of climate"
There is entry after entry OF a sim.
liar character In the same region
thuDderstorms were of frequent oc.
currence in July Indeed, when tho
explorers first endeavored 10 embark
upon the Arctic ocean. after their long
overland journey from Hudson bay
they "werc detained by a strong north
cast gale which continued the whole
day with constant thunder showers