Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/256

252 In the past the splendid land journeys of Scott and Armitage have given us the first definite idea of the interior of Antarctica, and Shackleton has been able to make further most important additions to our knowledge of the interior of the Antarctic continent. Similar inland as well as shore expeditions, such as that suggested by Dr. Forbes Mackay (Geographical Journal, January 1911), should be made at many points all round the Antarctic continent, but any expedition of this kind must necessarily have a good base station and be supported by a ship. The retention of a ship at the base is entirely unnecessary, though, as indicated previously, ice conditions might unwillingly entrap the vessel, in which case she must be properly prepared for wintering.

Valuable land work could be carried out by a party accompanying this expedition to the Weddell and Biscoe Seas. Here the coastline of Antarctica will probably be found to lie somewhere between 70° S. and 75° S. and to run in a more or less east and west direction. Having found a suitable anchorage, and the house being set up with a complete establishment for meteorology, magnetism, biology, and other scientific investigations, the party would make inland excursions towards the south. Should there be sufficient funds, it would be well to have a second ship for the express