New Britain herald., 1925-06-01
EATEN ISLAND 4
 LAND 0F MYSTERY
Object ol MacMillan Expedition
 Still Virtually Unknown

"
 Washington, June i.-Baffin is. land. which [. s. navy planes of tho MacMillan Arctic expedition will explore. Is one Of the least known regions of North America. according to the following bulletin from inc National Geographic socIety--the so- ciety under whose auspices the ex- petition will work.
 "Frobisher discovered the south ern point of Baffin island 349 years ago." says the bulletin. North America in those three and a half centuries has acquired civilization and 120,OOO,o00 people, but scarcely anything more Is known of Baffin island than what the old sea ca aptain himself discovered.
 4 Quaint Description
 'Mountaynes, in most parts cov- cred with snow so Frobisher de- scribes the southern extermity. Mod ern discovery confirms this and his further belief that the mortimer lands have Jesse store of snow, more grasse, and are more playne coun- treys.' His description Of the birds and beasts and of the Eskimos, their character, implements and boats, fits precisely with our 1925 estimate.
 Yet Frobisher touched only one corner of this vast island and his successors scarcely more than the shore, SO a vast virgin field awaits the expeditions cameras.
 "Baffiu island Is the third largest island in the world. Australia and Greenland surpassing it. Resolu- ton island, off the southern point of Baffin island, Is about on a latitude of the southern shore line Of Alaska and of Oslo, capital of Norway and Leningrad, But Bsffin island is more than 1000 miles in length, so it's northern latitude is 500 miles north of both Hammerfest, at the top of Scandinavia, and Point Bar row, Alaska. Baffin island has re- sisted thorough exploration by vir- ture of its vastness. It is larger than any state Of the United States except Texas and would make al- most four New Englands.
 Region of "Grcat Lakes"
 "A larke nearly as large as On- tario is one of the islands features. Angmakjuak, "the great water" in Eskimo language. Is l20 miles long and 40 miles wide. It is, however. only one of the great lakes of Baf- fin island. There are also Tesseyo- akiuak lake and Lake Netselik. The latter may be larger than Angmak- jrak.
 ."These lakes offer one of the few places for safe water landings for planes to be found anywhere in the Actic. Floating Ice is an ever-pres- ent danger in the sea, but the high temperatures of the warmed lake water eliminate this hazard
 Fish Through Igloo Floors
 South Sea islands are supposed to afford a life of magnificent ease in contrast witfi the Arctic, since there a family can live on the fruit Of three trees. Baffin island Eski- mos, however, have improved on this handy commIssary, In the win ter they build their igl DOS. on the lakes, cut hole through the parlor floor and fish for their dinner The Eskimo population. is placed at 670.
 ''Riyers and lakes of the island are well stocked with fish, notably sea trout and speckled trout. The Arctic hare, wolves and white and blue foxes are found. The foxes ap. parently live on mice of various kinds. Reindeer are numerous and a few musk oxen are believed 10 in habit the northern section.
 Commander MacMillan believe that Baffn island may contain the mysterious home of the blue goose. II, is known that the trumpeter swan and the common cider breed on Not tingham island, at the mouth of the Hudson bay, but the breeding ground of the blue geese, whose flying wedges, hooting across the spring sky are so familiar to North America, has never been discol cred.