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Read before the California

ACI1M1Y of SCIENCESBY

ARTHUR B. STOUT, M. D.

JUNE 16th, 1879.

San Francisco:

ALTA CALIFORNIA BOOK AND JOB PRINTING HOUSE, 529 CALIFORNIA STREET,

i879 •

THE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES, West bas been appreciated at tbe East,To advance another step to night; to accelerate

tbe onward march to tbe North Pole of our hopes ;

to yet farther interest this Academy in a scientificsearch which now enlists the ardent Impulse ofevery Scientific Academy of tbe civilized world ; toendeavor to warm every sympathy international; toengraft on oar Government, which represents theprogressive spirit of an enlightened people, aspiringto and indispensably requiring every aid in scienceto its practical promotion, is, in faithful zeal tbeobject of this communication.

To-day two great enterprises propose to recordtheir birth date.

First —The Howgate Colony Expedition, alreadyinaugurated by Congress, and commenced by tbepreliminary outfit under Captain Tyson to DiscoIsland to gather supplies and equipment for the so-termed Howgate Exploration.

Second—The Bennett Expedition, under Lieut. DeLong, in the Jeannette, to take its departure fromSan Francisco on or about June 20th, 1879.May our Academy wish them both God-speed ontheir eventful voyage I

ASTRONOMY.It would be presumption on my part to expatiate

upon the important problems in Astronomy to besolved by the discovery of the North Pole. Theseare scientifically indicated by W. E. Hickson, Esq.,in a paper on the climate of tbe North Pole.Journal B. Geog. Soc., vol. 35, p. 129, 1865.]

Herein is a clear elucidation of tbe effect on Arc-tic Summer and Winter, of the earth's relation totbe sun ; of tbe necessity to fix with precision thelocation of tbe Pole—to determine the flatness ortbe projection of tbe earth’s surface at the Pole—tomeasure arcs of meridians ; to give greater exacti-tude to the fixation of latitude and longitude ofcities ; to show tbe alterations of climate in longcyoles of time ; to compute the gradual variation oftbe plane of the ecliptic to that of tbe equator, withtbe consequent meteorological conditions. Thisauthor inclines to believe that land exists at thePole, and proposes, in order to complete astronomi-cal observations requiring time for their consumma-tion, tbat all interested scientific nations shall com-bine to erect there an International Observatory.With steam power to aid, be sets no limit to bisproud ambition,

Captain Sberard Osborn, writing in 1866 (Journalof B. Geog. Society, vol. 36), says most truly:• < Arctic discovery must always claim tbe attentionof all true lovers of geography and physical science,especially tbat of a society which represents thedeep interest recently exhibited by all grades of tbepublic in the solution of tbe problem of a communi-cation between tbe Pacific and Atlantic, and of tbeWorld-Wide sympathy in the noble devotion bywhich tbat mystery wassolved.” He informs tbat,from an estimateof Sir Leopold McOlintock, tbe foot

A special meeting of tbe Academy of Sciences washeld last evening, for the purpose of giving a recep-tion to Lieutenant DeLong and the officers of theBennett Exploring Expedition to the North Pole,who are to start in a few days in the steam yachtJeannMte from this port. The interest manifestedin this expedition is very great, from tbe fact thatit was started by the enterprise and liberality of tbeproprietor of the New York Herald, and, besides, theGovernment bas recognized its importance by de-tailing competent and skillful officers to direct itsoperations. A large number of ladies and gentle-men were present last evening to listen to tbe exer-cises. Dr. H. W. Harkness, Vice President of theAcademy, presided, in the absence of PresidentProf. George Davidson on official business.

The following members of the expedition wereseated on the platform : Lieut. 8. W. DeLong, U.8. N., Commander ; Lieut. 0. W. Cbipp, C. 8. N.,Executive Officer ; Lieut. J. W. Dannheimer, U. 8.N., Navigator ; G. W. Melville, D. 8. N., Chief En-gineer ; J. W. Ambler, Passed Assistant Surgeon ;Jerome J. Colling, Meteorologist and special cor-respondent of tbe New York Herald, and B. L.Newcomb, Naturalist. Beside these were CharlesWolcott ex-Consul of Japan, and WilliamBradford, tbe artist.

•« ABOTICJ DISCOVERY.”The first tbing in the order of exercises was tbe

reading of the following paper, by Dr. A. B. Stout,on <• Arctic Discovery

Mr. President and Fellow-Members: When, on aformer occasion, we advocated tbe passage of a reso-lution by this Academy, addressed to tbe Congressof the United States, advocating and soliciting thedesired authority and appropriation of funds toorganize tbe Howgate Expedition, to explore tbeArctic Zone, and, if possible, reach as far northas the North Pole, the objective question was asked(and properly enough), •• In what good can it re-sult ?” Cut bono ? The answer was, that a full reply to the query would fill an octavo volume.We now offer a concise and condensed answer tothe question.

To recapitulate the past as completely as may be,we offer the accompanying tabulation, which wehold yet open for correction of Arctlo explorationsto the present time. This may offer a birds’-eyeview of a landscape sublime—more gorgeously col-ored than ever human painter aspired to portray.

Tbe suggested resolution was adopted and trans-mitted to tbe Senate of tbe Uoited States. The ap-preciative thanks of Captain Howgate for the gym.pathy of the Academy on bis prejected expedition,have been duly rendered. Tbe cooperation of the

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expeditions in search of Franklin alone measure40,000 miles, and that during 36 years of explora-tions by ship, boat and sledge, England only lostfairly one expedition, in 42 successive expeditionsonly lost 128 men, and of 100 sledge parties, notone has been sacrificed. He further states in exten-uation of the perils, hardships, starvations, anddreadful exposures of life, that <• the fact is, moresailors have been thrown to the sharks from the dis-eases incident to service in OhiDa, and on the coastof Africa, than ever fell in 30 years of Arcticservice."

He calculates that from where, in 1827, SirEdward Parry, in his boat expedition from Spits-bergen, stood on a sea of floating ice, ou thenight of July 22d, 1827, in latitude 82° 46', hewas exactly 436 miles from the Pole. Thisdistance doubled for the return journey, gives 870miles to travel ; but Parry was defeated because thefloating ice-fleld was carrying him faster to thesouth than his men could drag the sledges to thenorth.

From Cape Parry to the Pole and return, is only968 miles ; while, in 1863, McOlintock travelled 1220miles in 106 days. Meacham, in 1854, marched1157 miles, in 70 days. In fine, Captain Osborn, inhis enthusiasm, rather courts than shuns Arcticlife ; proves its endurability, in spite of its rigors,by the health and vigor of the •• ArcticHighlanders,”and presents, as the reward of the greatment, 1,131,000 square miles of the globe’s surface.

A letter toSir R. J. Murchison, from David Grey,Esquire, 1868, a whaler, is worthy of note as indi-cating a fourth route to the Pole (Pro. R. G. S. v.12, No. III.) It gives most cogent reasons for theadoption of this route, especially as it avoids therush of water and ice southward through SmithBound and Baffin’s Bay.

TEBBEBTBIAL MAGNETISM,

Gilbert, in 1600, announced the bold hypothesisthat <• the earth is a great magnet,” but he did notannounce the cause or origin of the magnetism.But it was in 1576 that Robert Norman first discov-ered the dip or inclination of the magnetic needle ;

on the ground that if, at the magnetio equator,the needle poised precisely horizontally, it mustfollow the curvature of the earth, and dip as theneedle was removed from the magnetio equator to-ward either the North or South Pole.

We have not space to enumerate the various andconflicting hypotheses advanced to explain this as-tonishing terrestrial magnetism. But the problemstill remains to be solved. No explanation has yetpassed the crucial test of scientific Investigation.The nearest approximation has not yet met withconclusive confirmation.

Gauss, Amplre, Hausteen, Goldsmidt and others,studied the phenomena of magnetic currents, andthe needle's dip and variation as they existed in fact,but did notprove the origin of the magnetism. Prac.tical results of great value were obtained. Finally,General Sabine discovered and announced, that un-der the various intensities of the action of the sunon the earth, the magnetio phenomena of the latterreceived very demonstrable variations in directionand intensity.

In the United States, Professor Bache, aided bynumerous scientists, among whom figures the nameof Dr. Kane, and also the United States Coast Sur.vey, have together made important magnetic charts

for the aid of navigators and explorers on land. IfGeneral Sabine has demonstrated an important de-pendence of the earth upon solar magnetism for itsmagnetic phenomena, Dr. Kriel, of Austria, has en-deavored to enlist the moon as a potent factor interrestrial magnetism. Professor Schwabe, German,has, by thirty years of daily observations, demon-strated that important relations exist between thevariations of terrestrial magnetic intensities, andthe variations of the sun spots «• brighter than thesun,” [see Popular Science Monthly, Bept., 1871, p.636,J thus giving testimony in favor of Sabine'sresearches.

However advanced this state of knowledge may be,it is yet surrounded by an obscurity not yetresolvedinto unclouded light. The ■« open sea ” of con-jecture, ice-bound as it may be, is free to the sug-gestions of all explorers. Even it may yet be thedestiny of some unpretending whaler to reach theNorth Pole in advance of the efforts of science,aided with all the power of steam.

We may then venture upon an hypothetical solu-tion. The velocity of the earth’s motion in itsorbit around the sun is computed at 68,000 milesper hour, or 1,632,000 miles a day. The velocity ofthe earth’s rotation on its axis is calculated at 1000miles per hour, or 21,000 miles in 21 hours.

In accordance with the law of correlation of forces,we may consider that motion is converted into mag-netism by the action of friction. Certainly, in theimmense velocity of the earths motion, in atmoe-phere as well as in the ether space external to theearth’s atmosphere, there is friction.

However attenuated may be the ether in whichatoms move, there is still some friction. The earth,in its orbit around the sun, moves in a medium ofdifferent density than that of the planet on its axis ;

hence the quality, the quantity, and the intensity ofthe magnetisms, or dynamo electricity, evolved bythe two velocities in different media, would also bedifferentiated.

Again, if the earth’s motion be converted by fric-tion into magnetism, the friction being over the en-tire surface, the evolved magnetism must alike begenerated over the entire surface everywhere withinits range ; but in accordance with natural laws, theproduct is collected or attracted into great magneticcurrents, as the waters of the ocean are organizedinto great gulf streams.

The magnetic currents generated by the earth’smotion on its axis could not stream through the ex-act geographical axis, but would be defleoted, andtherefore we have magnetic poles removed a distancefrom the true North Pole. It is evident, also, thatherein the sun’s actions on the earth would have itsinfluence on the direction of the magnetic currents.

Within these two great streams of magnetism,either sufficient in force, and never failing sup-ply to produce the terrestrial phenomena, andacting in differing lines, we have an intelligibleorigin of one of Nature’s grandest and omnipresentenergies.

Tfce frost flower forms not on the window withoutits influence; the most elaborate orystal is thecreator* of its wonderful attraction. Eliminated inthe brain, our thoughts are its children. Metamor-phosed by the Divine will into a correlated force.Heaven’s pure light illuminates the world. Andagain, converted into heat, its genial Warmth ferti-lizes every flower; while, in its turn, the solar beam

5relinquishes Its unity of composition, and from itsprismatic rays, adorns, in gorgeous coloring, everypetal, sports, in fantastic grace, with the feather ofthe bird and the beauteous wing of the butterfly,gilds the glowing morn, and at even, on westernsky, ntters, in radiant colors, its benediction, likethe voice of God—good-night to weary man.

This faint picturebrings us to the Aurora Borealis,that beautiful creation of the Polar Zone, thattranslucent light of the North, which man, with allhis genius, can never imitate, but, like the Arabkneeling to the Bun, from the desert of his mind, canonly worship.

For a time, the perturbations of magnetic currents,strange variations of the needle, perplexing irregu-larities of the compass, often so fatal to mariners,were ascribed tocaprice, were termed “fitful” so ntfulas to become at times “magnetic storms;” but patientinvestigations like those of Bchwabe have reducedthis wtld behavior to the regular events of naturallaws, acting at certain recurring intervals. Astron.omers have demonstrated that the motion of theearth on its axis, as well as in its orbit, is accom-panied with an oscillation like the majestic swayingof a vast balloon. This motion must also act as aperturbating influence.

Now the motion of the earth, in its orbit aroundthe sun, generates its own magnetism, which, in itsturn, must be collected into its own determinedcurrents, and these may circulate in lines widelydifferent from the former great magnetic tide—these,also, may undergo perturbations depending uponthe varying proximity and heat of the sun, as wellas the condition of the luminous sun spots, which,in their intensity of light, are represented to rivaleven the sun himself, as viewed by man.

Exultant in the wonderful beauty of those phe-nomena, as W6 sit, without peril, in onr TemperateZone, let us borrow a few lines from those whofroze and trembled, but yet could not resist theglorious Inspiration of Nature’s majesty : •< Duringthe first morning watch, the sun, hitherto hiddenby the mountains of Grinnell JLand, suddenlyshown out, causing a universal exclamation ofwonder and delight. The line of reflected light wassingularly brilliant, where it crossed the patches ofwater, and it was rendered irridescent where it fellon the edges of the hummocks, on the fractured ice,or on the pack itself. The irregular surface of thepack itself, comprising the general level of theyoung ice ; the undulations of the old floes, and thesharp prominences of the old bergs, together withthe unending diversity of form in the hummocks,kindled the imagination, which discovered everyvariety of form and of object, animate and inani-mate.

•• The bottom of these floes are usually coveredwith small lakes, formed during the short Summerby the melting of the ice and snow. These lakesare frozen solid during the Winter, but in the Sum-mer and early Autumn they reflect the sun fromtheir surfaces, and exhibit a variety of colors be-neath.” [See N. P. Expedition of ship Polarispages 77 and 98.]

Happy the nature-enamored enthusiast, who,for a weary Winter of darkness, can exult when hewins a reserved seat on a glacier, in the dress circleof the Arctic Zone, thus illuminated, and revel withdelight in this grand opera of Nature’s play of col-ors. For our meek self, during a short season, weprefer a Boston rocking-chair, an opium-pipe, and a

schoppen of lager. Under the hallucination of DeQuincy, we would perceive the

“Borealis race,Which flits ere you can point the place.”

in a much more favorable light. These Arcticsplendors are optical phenomena of reflection andpolarization, but when they become blended withthe still grander evolutions of terrestrial magnet,ism, an explanation appears to be found for theinimitably gorgeous pyrotechny of Northern Light.The effulgence of electricity liberated from its un-seen terrestrial current into brilliant light and pris-matic colors beams on the sky, illuminates with itsfulminating rays the Northern Eooe, and consti-tutes the Aurora Borealis.

What, then, are the advantages of Arctic explora-tion? What bounties will it return? What divi-dend from the stock ? Of what good to man is thismartyrdom of men ?

We now seek in California some “high eminence ”

whence the heavens may be viewed through themost rarifled translucent atmosphere. What granderobservatory can be found than the Pole itself?What more felicitous site to observe the inexhaust-ible fountains of terrestrial magnetism than at thefountains of its concentration and departure on itswonderful cosmic errand ? Where better might aTyndall borrow the elements of light, a Hemholzmeasure the free vibrations of sound, or a Geisslersupply the tubes of his wondrous electric fountainsand dazzling display of magnetic light?

When some thirty years ago a distinguished repre-sentative of California declared in Washingtonthat California was a desert, and its laod worth-less for agriculture, and we now view itsacres supplying the world with wheat, itscereals in every form filling the marketsfor the hungry, its luxurious vegetation adorningplain and hillside with its unrivalled scene ot floralbeauties, Inviting the exotics of every land to comeand contest with them the palm of loveliness—thefruits so overwhelming in abundance that we fail toconsume them—the products of the dairy, which soimmensely accumulate despite the cost of produc-tion-let us Btlll remember that centuries ago aglacier mantle far heavier than that which congealsthe germs of life in Greenland, ploughed with cor-roding power over the now called Heaven-blessedfields of California.

The achievement to first arrive at the North Poleand determine its physical “presentment,” is nolonger the actual competitive prize of internationalrivalry. Eager as each nation may be to win thevictor’s •• belt,” the attainment of that consumma-tion, so devoutly to be desired,has become a second-ary consideration. To cast a girdle round the globeis now a lightning-quick affair. To find the polarcentre of that great zone is now the struggle, thoughoften baffled, yet surely destined to be accomplished.Meanwhile, science has adopted the field and itsproduce as her own. Higher primary objects haveintervened, to decorate, to adorn, to illuminate thesubject. Every polar expedition, whether or not afailure to find the Pole, shortens the distance from83° 26" to the goal. Every station taken to meas-ure soundings, to find warm and cold currents bythermometrical tests, to dredge from the vasty deepits forms of animal life, is an advance in science.To press into the service of science a tiny flower,which, by the quick telegraphy of a polar aotinlc

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ray, has in a few days burst open the frozen cere-ments Imposed by a nine-months’ glacier, to bringhome a rock, a stone, to enhance geological lore andcontribute its might to the great story of thiB world ;

to tell what life existed by its fossil memorials andin its etchings on the land-marks by the graver ofan almighty sculptor; to teaoh us the history ofthose grand cosmic revolutions which man yetfails, with all his labor, to unravel ; to trace thecourse of the great current of the Pacific Ocean,through the intricate Straits and Hoands of theArctic waters into the Atlantic Gulf Stream, toprofit by those tides instead of struggling by mainforce through Davis Straits in a counter current,manfnlly tilting with icebergs and northern gales ;

to show the route of the uprooted tree fallen fromthe banks of the Mississippi, in its wanderings onthe ooean, until stranded on Arctic shore, it glad-dens the heart of a hungry Esquimaux, who warmswith its heat his scanty evening meal, and inspiresgrateful orisons to to his Creator.

All these, with objects yet unthought of, are theguerdons of the toil. What though a hard and vio-lent death may leave to many a zealous hero noother reward than the glory of his deeds, are notthe earnest martyrs of science found on (very fieldof life and in every clime ? Would not the thought-exhausted Peterman had better found his storm-beaten monudhent by the side of Franklin, or whereHall died? Is not his unhappy fate the destiny ofthousands of his too-ambitious followers ?

COMMERCE,Quickly in the wake of science will follow com-

merce. Enterprising as she may be, she will notventure her argosies without high insurance. Morestations, better charts, sharper defined coast lines,more thoroughly established “open water” mustprecede her cautious navigation. Still, with/tersue.cess will be answered the mercenary cui bono in-quiry.

The riches that have been derived from the polarlatitudes are too immense to be calculated to-day.Whale oil and spermacetti are not yet entirely super-seded by gas and kerosene; and if they were so,whalebone or baleen is yet of high value. A whalerof to day is paid for his voyage in baleen alone.

The discovery of coal in Behring's Straits and inhigh latitude on the west coast of Greenland willgreatly diminish expense, while income will be in afar greater proportion increased. The produce offurs must greatly augment the accession to theminor fisheries with less peril to life, and shortervoyages cannot be estimated. In the Siberian seas,salmon exist in countless multitudes Many steam-ers navigate the great rivers of Northern Russia.With these trade will be opened. California wheatmay penetrate to the interior of Russia, and Amerl.can manufactures, now prized throughout the world,may pass the Behring’s Straits, to be sold in To-bolsk, on the Obi.

Besides these, elephant ivory, walrus tusks,mosses, lichens, feathers, et id omne genus, abound tocourt the grasp of predatory man.

EXPENSE.

The cost of former Polar expeditions is far lessthan might be supposed : thus, Willoughby’s expe-dition, 300 years ago, cost $80 000 ; Moore’s expedi-tion in 1746, $50,000 ; Back’s expedition in 1833-5,Great Fish River, $25,000 ; Meddendorf, Siberian,1844, $8583; Franklin expeditions, from 1848 to

1854, $4,166,665 (English Admiralty statement);German North Pole expedition (second) $55,006 ;

Anstro Hungarian expedition, $91,665.The cost of an ordinary whaling voyage of nine

months, vessel of 300 tons or 1000 barrels of oil, in-cluding vessel’s value, is about $35,000. A whalingvessel from Ban Francisco, from March to October, iscalculated on those conditions. A whaling voyagefrom New England was fitted for three years at aninvestment of from $60,000 to $70,000.

8CJUBVT.The great perils of the northern clime, famine

and incessant toil, are not the only dangers whichbeset the polar explorer. Under them exhaustedNature’s vital spark at last glows dimly, fidelityand heroism slowly succumb, and that worst of alldemoralizing agencies, invades. The scurvy, as afinal and fatal tormentor, appears. We offer a fewcomments on this disease. Its accidents are known,its raKonclt is not yet clearly explained. Thispatb-alogical field is, therefore, still open. The scor-butus, or scurvy, is by no means limited to thefrigid zone. It is not absolutely dependent uponfood. Though partially a disease of nutrition, it isnot strictly the product of alimentary inanition. Itmay develope in any climate, irrespective of vegetable, animal, acid, alkaline or oleaginous food. Whenthe Spanish galleons returned from Asia across thePacific temperate latitude, the scurvy decimatedtheir crews. They anchored at Cape St. Lucas.Though laden with the spices and wealth of Cathay,they were dying for lack of a special fruit in South-ern California.

In the Crimean War, where, single-handed, Russiaso obstinately fought the European idea of “thebalance of power,’’ the eeurvy worked the mostfearful havoc in the French and English encamp-ments.

In all expeditions where physical labor is urgedin excess of vital nervous force, irrespective of nu-triment (lime juice to the contrary notwithstand-ing), the scurvy will develop. It is a disease ofprogressive exhaustion—of organic vital involution—in a word, it is a disease of the brain. It is anexhaustion of the cerebral neuric battery. Itsvoice exclaims, <> Cease this style of toil, or everytissue of the organism, nerve, bone, muscle, thelast yielding power of brave men—the valiant willto do or die—must degenerate and wither !”

The initiatory symptoms of the disease are cereb-ral, and indicate that the entire brain and nervoussystem are involved. A first sign is change of char-acter ; cheerfulness is exchanged for moody sulleu-ness, irritability of mind. Then follow pros-tration of energy, indifference to toil, oreven to move about. Then succeed languor,and both mental and muscular depression,loss of appetite ; the secretions now begin to alter,he limbs swell, become painful, and wdematous,

e ither constipation or diarrheas, succeed from in-sufficient nervous nourishment from the brain. Itis unnecessary here to picture the full course of themalady, but the more its progress is contemplated,the more convincing is the evidence that the ex-hausting brain power is ihe cause of the long lineof debilitating effects which characterize the dreaddisease. We would like, iherefore, to suggest thatthe best t eatment to pursue is to support and en-courage the failing brain, but, unfortunately, this isdifficult to accomplish in Arctic life. The work

7must progress, the march must be onward. Theinexorable oold, which is the chief oause of thecerebral exhaustion, cannot be avoided.

GOLD,

To counteract the depressing influence of intensecold requires the consumption of the great bulk 0finternal animal heat derived from the food eaten.It is only a comparatively small balance of energy,of vital force, which remains for the great labordemanded by the journey. More than one half ofthe composition of the human body is fluid. AnIndian skeleton, perfectly dessicat6d, now in ourMuseum, weighs nineteen pounds.

When, then, we remember that in the Arctio beltthe thermometer sinks forty, aye, fifty, degreesbelow zero Fahrenheit, we inquire in wonder, Whydoes not all that fluid freeze, and in its congelationleave the man a lifeless statue of ice ? Why doesnot tbe blood freeze in the heart ? Why are not theblood channels by which the brain is irrigated, itsloss and gain by wear, replenished ? Why are notthe aqueous and vitreous humors of the eye crystal-lized into solid ice ? It is because the supply ofheat from the accelerated rush of blood through thesystem is called upon to rapidiy supply tbe wasteby the extreme cold. When this balance of powerfails, the individual must die. This thirst for heatis manifested by the voracious appetites of Arctichunters. When, then, this extraordinary effort ofthe brain to furnish the exalted heat strt in is con-sidered, without even reference to the demand forgreat external manifestations of vital energy, it can-not be wondered at that the vital fire of life burnslow, and all the structures of the body degenerateinto that state we designate as scurvy.

A first curative relief, then, is to study the econ-omy of this brain force and vital heat. No wasteshould be allowed by the expenditure of strength,except for indispensable necessities. We woulddeprecate exercises for mere amusement to keepmen in motion, but recommend rest moments atwell-advised intervals.

While stimulants are highly requisite, if we forcetbe fire too rapidly by artificial fuels, in tbe longrun we shorten the life to be consumed. Amongthe known anti scorbutics, lime juice, raw vegeta-bles, etc., the abundant Oregon cranberry ought tofigu'e as valuable. Among trappers and hunters,pinole is highly prized. The earthy phosphates arepowerful brain nutriments, but those of the alkalieshave the objection that their large proportion ofsoda potassa, or ammonia, th>ns and dilutes tbeblood. The Indian carriers of heavy loads in tbeAndes use the coca leaf. The action of this plant isto increase endurance, and obviate tbe almost irre.sistible desire to sleep in the most surprisingmanner. The fluid extra of coca, therefore, oughtto be an invaluable aid ; but as this freezes, and isdifficult to transport, we have composed a drypowder condiment which every man can easily carryin bis pocket. This condiment can give a relish tomany a raw or revolting meal with which the Arcticexplorer is forced to satisfy his long-forgottenepicurean taste.

When the traveller in the North has acquiredwhat may be called the scurvy diathesis, he is besetby another direful scourge. Frost-bite is greatlyfacilitated. His feet swell, and he must loosen hisfur or canvas boots. The neuralgia in the frost-sores becomes excruciating, labor impossible, and

tbe highest degree of nervous irritability is engen-dered. This pain, so much exaggerated beyondthat of a simple looal wound, indicates how inti,mately the state of the brain is connected with thelocal accident.

It so complicates and imperils life that, duringthe Orimean war, the surgeons were restrained fromamputations. Tbe young surgical assistants wereabsolutely forbidden to touoh the frozen parts withthe knife.

It is manifest, then, that the brain must be firstappeased before local treatment can avail.

In the Austro-Hungarian expedition, Payer statesthat collodion, with iodine, was often of great useas a looal application.

We would infer, though having no conclusiveexperiment, that magneto.electricity would serve toreanimate the failing nervous system.

An induced current passed through tbe brain andspinal axis might supply new energy. While, as alocal stimulus, it would revive languishing granu-lation in frost-bite ulcerations, promote cicatriza-tion and appease, perhaps, the excratiating neural-gia of tbe sores.

Should the electric light be employed on theBennett Fxpedition, a diverted current might bepassed through an apparatus to reduce intensity,and be thus utilized as an hygienic appliance.

We would further indicate tbe fluid extract ofmalt, associated with the hypo-phosphite salts, con-densed milk and compressed coffee.

The n6w antiseptic, borate of soda and potassa,to preserve meats, fish, etc., will be an invaluableacquisition.

TITlalB.Who shall own these vast possessions?Who owns them now ?At present, all explorers, all nations, are pleased

to penetrate the vast embattlements which markand guard the Pole, the floes, the bergs, the bum.mocked crushing masses, •• old ice’* on one side,• • new ice” on the other, dense fog, ice below, snowabove, the northern blast, the unconquerable gla-cier—and who shall win the first discovery, <• solongingly coveted ?” But all are too happy toescape with their lives therefrom, and be welcomedagain to the genial home.

Already on cape, sound, strait, and bay, on every• • land” floats the possessory banner of a nation.Should a climatic revolution suddenly restore tofertility and civilization, warmed with tropicaltemperature, what would not be the contests in In-ternational Congress ta fix the frontiers ! Historywould repeat itself The autochthones would beignored. The native proprietor, whose favor wenow court with trivial presents, would be again de-spoiled—whose furs, sledges, we now pur-chase with paltry bribes or insignificant tools fortheir simple industry, would be assigned to Reser-vations, with Indian Agents for their Great Father.

The walls of China have been overriden and thenation forced from its seclusion, now again to bedriven back within its broken parapets. In likemanner will tbe feeblebut indispensable Esquimauxbe first courted with bribes, caressed, and then ofbis ice-girdled home bo dispossessed.

We can but say, such is mankind ; such the humanrace. Such,” exclaims Burke, >• is the mode ofexistence decreed to a permanent body composed oftransitory parts wherein, by the disposition of a

8stupendous wisdom, moulding together the greatmysterious incorporation of the human raoe, thewhole at one time is never old, nor middle aged, noryoung, but in a conditionof unchangeable constancy,moves on through the varied tenor of perpetual de-cay-fall, renovation and progression."

Evolution and involution sucoeed each other intheir eternal orbit.

ADIEU.As Pioneers of Bcience in this •• western land,”

we can only exclaim to our proposed expeditions,the daring pioneers of the Arctic Zone, while wewave to them in farewell the banner of our country,hoping again to run it to the peak to salute theirsafe return, •• God speed thee I” and impress ontheir mind our favorite motto, with Liberty presid.ing over the two Americas, "HoBCttt Patria Nostra!"

Dr. Harkness then introduced Lieut. DeLong, thecommander of the expedition, to the audience, whowas received with much applause, and who spoke asfollows :

• ■When the officers of this expedition were invitedto attend this meeting, I answered that nothingwould give us greater pleasure, but we hoped to beexcused from taking any part in the discussionsuntilafter our return from the Arctic regions. Thisamiable peculiarity of ours, it seems, is not to betolerated, however unfit I am to reply with any de-gree of propriety to the very kind expression ofyour wishes. As for this particular expedition,there is nothing much to say. It has been made,possibly, by the liberality and enterprise of a singleindividual, and he has placed itin charge of officersof the Navy, and by an Act of Congress it has beenawarded official sanction. It is peculiar in anotherway, for it is the first to attempt to reach the NorthPole by going through Behring’s Straits. Other ves-sels and expeditions for the relief of Sir John Franklin have gone through this Strait, but this will be thefirst practical Arctic Expedition to attempt thisroute toward the Pole. We expect to undergo thesame trials and embarrassments as other polar ex-plorers have met with.

• • We shall begin our work at the 71st parallel oflatitude. Beyond this, all is unknown, and weshall first determine whether there is land, ice orsea. You will excuse us from further outlining ourwork until our return, when nothing will give usgreater pleasure than to tell you all we have done.”

Dr. F. Baehr and Mr J. P. Moore were oalled onby the President, and briefly responded. The lattergentleman spoke in behalf of the Microscopical So-ciety, and hoped that among all the benefits whichshould accrue to soienoe from this expedition, thathis special department might be the gainer by im-portant discoveries.

Charles Wolcott Brooks was then called upon,and responded on behalf of the ethnological sectionof the Academy. In offering bis word of kind en.couragement, he remarked that men who use obsta-cles as stepping-stones to success, are apt to win ;

and he but expressed the universal desire of allethnologists that Lieut. DeLong and his brave com-rades should overcome every barrier that the FrostKing might impose as an obstacle to their success.As ethnologists, we all feel great interest in the ex.istence of an Arctic Continent, and earnestly desireto know if it is, or can be, inhabited. In a worldgoverned by mathematical law, whose every atom isgeometrically correct, and subject to mathematical

proof, we may reasonably judge of the unknown bywhat we can see, cautiously using the great law ofanalogy as our guide. If we would judge of theultimate atom, or the most distant orb in space, wemay study for that purpose some object around us,or our globe taken as a whole. He who has watchedthe organization of crystalline forms, under electriocurrents, has seen the operation of the same lawwhich has formed the solid part of the earth welive on.

In its early and plastio condition it was a spherelike the dew drop, but with the constant currents oforganizing magnetism, it has assumed a crystallineform, and to-day its solid exterior, were its oceansemptied and removed, would present the polyhed-ron. If we carefully examine the almost universalfeatures of all land known to us, we find a prevail-ing form wherever we turn. Each territorial areaof magnitude seems to have an appendage trendingsouthward. Thus, south of the large continent ofNorth America we find that leg-of-mutton or pend'oreille form of Mouth America. Beneath Europerests a similar shaped area of land in the continentof Africa, and south of Asia is Australia and thePolynesian or Spice Islands. The same relativeposition of land is general among many islandgroups, and all peninsulas seem also to point south-ward, such as Kamschatka, Alaska, Lower Califor-nia, Florida, Nova Scotia, Hindostan, etc., and allsuch forms have larger bodies of land to their north.Now, if we apply this rule, by turning theNorth Pole of a globe toward us, we readily see at aglance that Greenland, which is known to us, maybear to an unknown Arctic Continent the same rela-tion that South America does to North America, orAfrica to Europe. Hence it is perfectly logical toinfer, by the great analogy of nature, that an ArcticContinent exists beneath the North Pole, extendingthree and a half to four degrees south from thenorthern axis of the earth. As previous Arctic ex-peditions have advanced to 88' 26' north latitude—-or within 394 miles of the Pole—the distanoe thenceto such a continent would not exceed about 150 to180 miles. This intervening space, however, isquite difficult to traverse, as it is represented topresent a very rough surface. If the sea, duringthe height of a gale, when waves ran mountainshigh, were instantly frozen, it would present muchthe appearance here encountered.

Now, for ethnologists, the question is, Can anArctic Continent bo inhabited, should one exist?This may be met by the already-expressed surmisethat the latitude of 78° is about the point of lowestmean temperature. The earth is about 37 miles morein diameter at the equator than from pole to pole,having enlarged at one point and flattened atanother, because of its revolving motion. Now, it iswellknown that lower temperatures are encounteredas we ascend high altitudes, and the depression atthe poles may, by lessening the distance of the sur-face from the earth’s centre, afford a warmertemperature, which will enablethe hardy Esquimaux,Ainos, or some Hyper-Barean race, to exist upon anArtie Continent. Should such prove to be the caseand our good friends discover any races there to usunknown, we shall look to them to resurrect ub aspecimen skull of some departed inhabitant.

In the quietstillness of their long Winter even-ing we trust they may occasionally think of theirCalifornia friends, whose hearts go with them. In-

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dividual happiness depends so largely upon thequality of human thought, that we feel, after meet-ing our brave guests face to face, that when far awayamong the auk and fulmer and silent pelicans of thestill more silent North, though limited in numberto a comparatively small but trasty band, they willhave ample company when surrounded by the mul-titude of grand and noble thoughts their perilousbut most interesting expedition, will inspire.

Therefore, on behalf of men of science throughoutAmerica, and I may safely say throughout theworld, we bid them one and all (lod speed and suc-cess and a safe return, with all the good resultstheir souls may crave.

William Bradford, the well-known artist, whosepictures of Northern scenery are justly appreciated,was called on for some remarks by the Chair, andsaid that he could not but feel proud at the daringshown by the members of this expedition, for theyknew that in attempting to reach the Northern re.gions by the way of Behring’s btralts they wereliable to be carried from home instead of toward it,should they be cast away or their vessel

become wedged in by the ice fields.This was the experience of all who hadattempted the route, while those on the otherside, by way of Baffin's Bav and Greenland, In caseof aocldent, were hourly drifted toward home andrelief. He closed with a fervent hope that theymight be spared to return in health, and theirefforts be crowned with success. The eloquent re-marks of the gentleman met with the liveliest re-sponse from all the audience.

Mr. Jerome J. Collins a member of the Expedi-tion, said that he went in a double capacity thatof a specialist in meteorology and a representativeof the Press. He should specially investigate thelaw of storms above the latitude of 60°. From theequator to this point the researches of scl«nce havepretty thoroughly established the rales governingthem ; bat above this point all was uncertain. Heand his companions were satisfied with their leader,and nothing should be left undone on the part ofany one connected with the par y to make the resultof the expedition of great value.

The meeting then adjourned.