Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/245

Rh of balloons and kites, as well as sea-level observations; magnetism; ocean physics, including an investigation of currents, temperature, specific gravity at all depths from the surface to the bottom; bathymetry, including a complete study of the shape of the floor of the Polar Basin; geology, especially a study of the nature of the bottom; biology, an investigation of every living thing, those animals that live on the bottom of the sea, those who swim on or near the surface or in intermediate depths—in short, benthoic, planktonic and nektonic research; a study of the algæ and animals that may be found in association with the ice itself, as well as an investigation of every animal or plant above the surface of the ocean. Six or eight scientific men would not be too few to form the scientific staff, and they must be provided with at least two laboratories, a scientific storeroom, and photographic room. The leader himself being well acquainted with conditions of work in the Polar Regions, it is not essential that the scientific staff should be, but it would be an advantage that his chief-of-staff had some ice experience, and that he should be able to take up the reins in the event of the serious illness or death of the leader. The scientific side of the ship should be separate from the nautical, and the leader must be the intermediary and guiding hand for both. The