INTERVIEW WITH THE MINERALOGIST.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 44

INTERVIEW WITH THE MINERALOGIST.

NO LAND ANIMALS. SEALS, WHALES, AND PENGUINS. Dr Henrj-k Arctowaki, the Polish mineralogist and geologist of the Belgica expedition, has been interviewed by a representative of fteuter, says the Daily News. The doctor, who is the first member of Lieutenant Gerlache's expedition to return home, is in the best of health, and appears to be none the worse for the hardships endured by the explorers, who were the first human beings to spend a winter in the Antarctic. Discussing the objects, of the expedition, Dr Aretowdki said: — "' Our first object was to make a voyage in the Antarctic, but beyond this there was on starting no definite programme. It was intended to examine the various scientific conditions. Seventeen of us, under Lieutenant Gerlaehe, left Antwerp in August, 1897. On leaving Staten our object was to go direct to the south, and to explore in the region of Gralramslahd and Palmer Land, on which no landing had been made since their discovery in the early part of the century. Op. the 28th February the Belgica ran into the Antarctic ice pack. In a few days we found it impossible to proceed, and equally impossible to get .out of the grip, of the ice ; the temperature fell, and the Belgica stuck fast. For a whole year she remained "immovable, and for the first time human beings prepared to spend a winter in the Antarctic. We had quite expected to winter in the south Polar region, but we had hoped to do so on land. For that purpose we had everything prepared, it being our intention to build an observatory and depot. We were, however, quite unable to find land on which to establish a depot, and we all perfoice had to remain on our ship. " The Antarctic winter lasts for two months, but owing to the fearful weather that prevailed we did not see the sun for three months. Every day excursions were made on the ice for the purpose of catching seals and penguins. Wo spent tlie winter in scientifis work. "At the beginning of the present year we started cutting a channel through the ice for the Belgica. As soon as we got free of the ice we steamed direct for Cape Horn, and reached Punta Arenas, Patagonia, on the 27th of February. " The specific results were satisfactory, and were quite what was expected. Unlike the Arctic, the Antarctic has no animals. The only sign of life we found on land were a number of very small insects, which were discovered among the penguin rookeries. In the water there is plenty of life. There are far more seals than in the North Polar regions, a great quantity of small whales, | ana an abundance of penguins. The Ani tarctic land we found to be entirely mountainous, absolutely glaciated, covered with snow I and ice. In some places, where the cliffs were too precipitous for ice or snow to lodge, we found lichen and mos3." Referring, in conclusion, to the Borchegrevinck expedition, Dr Arctowski said: — It must have scientific results of great interest. One of the most interesting points is the possibility of this expedition calculating the position of the magnetic pole, and studying the magnetic variations. It is very likely that inland ice exists on Victoria Land, aa in. Northern Greenland^ and if this U so the

expedition should be able to reach the region Where the magnetic needle will remain* vertical — that is to say, what is popularly known as the magnetic pole. To reach the geographical South Tole is at present out of the question, the distance from the edge of the pack being enormous. There is very much work to be done in the Antarctic, particularly with regard to meteorology and magnetism. A satisfactory knowledge of the climate of the Antarctio and of the meteorological and magnetic conditions would necessitate many expeditions."