Geographical Notes

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IN NATURE last week we announced that an Arctic expedition this summer had been decided on in Sweden. This expedition, which has been promoted by the well-known Swedish Mæcenas, Dr. Oscar Dickson, will be in command of Baron Nordenskjöld, whose intention it is on this occasion to explore the east and north-east coast of Greenland. It was originally his intention to have proceeded this summer into the Siberian seas, but seeing the delay caused to the Danish Polar Expedition, which will now be there during the summer, this idea was abandoned and Greenland decided on instead. Baron Nordenskjöld, having formerly visited the country, is of the opinion that some kind of “break,” or oasis, is to be found in the interior of Greenland. He purposes to proceed along the east coast of Greenland, as far as the ice will allow, and then to penetrate into the interior, some 300 miles across the inland ice. The country inland is nearly the whole year covered by ice and snow, which, during the summer months, render it almost entirely one bog. The enormous stretch of inland ice has also always been a barrier to exploration. Another object in view by Baron Nordenskjöld is to attempt to find traces of the Norse colonies, which existed in Greenland from about the year 1000 until the end of the 14th century. The ultimate fate of the Norse settlers in Greenland is shrouded in mystery, as there is no authentic record of their existence after the end of the fourteenth centnry. There has also in later days been great diversity of opinion where tn seek for the settlements; thus the Danish explorer Graah, who, in the years 1828–31, searched for remains of the same, sought them west of Cape Farewell, but without success. Baron Nordenskjöld is, however, of the opinion that the Österbygd and the Norse settlements were situated east of the Cape, and it is here that he intends to search for them. It is hardly necessary to enlarge on the interesting and important results to science which would accrue from the discovery of thess “dead cities” on the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Baron Nordenskjöld will start on his journey early in May next, and although the general expenses of the expedition, no doubt, will be defrayed by King Oocar and Dr. Oscar Dickson, it is the intention of the latter to apply to the Swedish Parliament for the use of one of the vessels of the Navy for the voyage.