TROPICS IN THE ARCTIC.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15319, 15 September 1920, Page 3

TROPICS IN THE ARCTIC.

MYSTERIOUS GARDEN OF EDEN. There is tropic land m the Arctic — a garden set m the>.midst of an almost impassable* barrier "of cold. Such is the story that is published m San Francisco papers. Men have visited it. Scientists are about to penetrate, to it, to make accessible to the world whdt has so far been dimly heard of as a fanciful myth. _ West and north of the Porcupine river, m the Yukon territory, lies this hidden garden — an oasis of tropical warmth, where brilliant plant;* grow and rare flowers flourish. It was discovered before tho war. C. J. Mclhtyreand two companions penetrated to it m 1912. The world struggle halted the plans of tho expedition thajt was to have solved its secrets, but now preparations are under way to make the tropic of the Arctic an "open book. The three travellers who discovered the tropical land were "mushing" with dog sleds along tho Porcupine region when they chanced on warmer air. "It- was like passing from winter into spring," says Mclntyre. As they proceeded the air became warmer and warmer, the ice thinner. Presently they were marching m soft snow ; then they came across a hot spring. Finally they were on. dry ground. Before them rose dense vegetation ; flowers and fruits greeted their astonished eyes. Goose, caribou, deer, pheasants roamed m the little area of tropical warmth. The astounded explorers were unprepared to make an extended investigation.; they had scant supplies and were forced to return to. their camp, back in 'the snowfields. Tlie tropical zone is due to the presence of warm springs much like tlie American geysers. They have long been known to exist m the north. At Manley's spring's, near Fairbanks, Alaska, Frank Manley ran the water from one of these springs through a greenhouse, raising strawberries m the Alaska winter. In the Porcupine region, which is m the Klondyke territory, m the spot where the tropic lands are, springs are very plentiful. Once, scientists say, there was a wide' tropical region there. Remains of mastodons have been found and other prehistoric tropical animals.