, 1912-04-24

S8 70 he established his last depot. From
this time onward the marches were not 40
rapid as before, but on December IA Amupd-
sen was practically at The Pole.
Not content with only dead reckoning. he
commenced astronomical Observations, and
by taking a series of observations from diff
terent quarters eliminated any possibility of
error IN the determination Of his position. The
Importance OF having more than one mem
Der OF the patty to take observations and
also the value Of taking a series of observa-
tons are apparent, and this Amundsen rea-
Used. 1t must have been a happy moment
Tor them when they felt they had reached
the goal.
The fine weather, too, evidently favoureJ
them on their way back, and the ship was
reached in a remarkably short time, tue
whole party returning safe and well.
The attainment of the geographical South
Pole has been the ambition of every explor-
er, without exception, who ever proposed to
make Gn inland journey towards that point,
and for that end, | am convinced, all matters
OF detailed scientific work would be of secon-
dairy consideration. Yet, though Amundsen
made his march to the Pole, he has made q
great many most important geographical
discoveries, too, one of the most important
DNA'6 NV uClIIlt!OI rs u ne III
mination of the great ZOE barrior, IL mystery
tlr the last seventy years.
GREAT GEoGRApHICAL Discoveries.
He returns from his Journey with u har-
vest Of other geographical facts-the dis
c"very OF many miles Of great mountains.
He also did not neglect to bring geological
specimens from Victoria Land. Again, iu-
stead OF concentrating all his little party Of
eight men on The southern journey, he left
three men, who have brought back geologi-
ca! specimens, the first to come to us from
King Edward VII. Land. Amundaen made
meteorological observations and interesting
observations Of the Aurora AustraIis, 50 that
the scientific and geographical world vii!
be greatly enriched by his discoveries. It
Will be particularly Interesting III relation to
this to make comparisons with Captain
SCOTS observations Of the same phenomena,
as the latter expedition no doubt has also
been observing the Aurora throughout the
winter.
The discovery of the South Pole will Mt
be the end Of Antarctic exploration. The
next work of Importance to be done in the
Antarctic is the determination Of the whole
coast line of the Antarctic continent, aud
then n transcontinentA Journey from sen to
sen, crossing the Pole. As regards the de.
termination Of the coast line, the right thing
to do IS to work from east to west with the
trend Of the current and keeping as close 10
rho land as possible. The Antarctic CONT
nont has only been touched at Isolated
places, and there are thousands of miles Of
coast lane to define. This, surely, is a great
piece Of work and VIII in its way demand
more wa;chfuIncas and readiness to meet
EN- r-cncjes than palhap, Il journey across
tine zee. | have no doubt we shall ear Of
new expeditions being equipped for this Sc
r.ons scientific work There is NOW tho Aus
trtlnsian Antarctic Expedition working on
the north side Of the Antarctic, due south Of
Australia. Dramatically opposite IS the
German expedition.
Captain SCOTS ship, we hope, will shortly
bring us more information. But for years
aud years there will he pioneer work to 10
in the South Polar regions .-Hid