POLAR EXPEDITIONS (ante). In 1860 Dr. Isaac I. Hayes mode on expedition to Smith sound; and, by sledge, to a point as far n. as 82.45; and in 1869 visited Greenland, and explore:1 n considerable portion of its southern coast. See HAv•s, IsAAc I. ante. Unsuccessful efforts were made to reach the n. pole by way of Ilarentz sea, from 1857 to 1867, by the Swedes, Germans, and Austrians: the German geogr.'pher, Petermann ing given the weight of his authority to the opinion that this was the most feasible route. Capt. Hall made his first expedition in 1860; and his last, on the Petetrig. in 1870. See CnAltr,Es FGANCIS. lie added materially to the existing geographical knowledge concerning the arctic regions, and gained valuable information regarding the fate of the Franklin expedition. Lieutenants Weypreeht and Payer, of the German expedition of 1870. discovered the farthest northern laud yet found, reaching to lat. 83°. In 1875 coot. Naves mode an unsuccessful attempt to reach the n. pele by Smith sound. In 1875. '76. :Ina '78. prof. Nordenskjilld explored from the Norwegian coast by way of the Kara sea. and past the month of the Lena river, skirting the whole of Siberia to ]gah•ians straits, demonstrating the practicability of making the voyage by this route from Ncrway to Japan. On July 8, 1879, the Jeannette, a bark-rigged steam-yacht of 420 tons hurden, sailed from San Francisco for a voyage of exploration to the oretic regions. via Behring's straits; the first to attempt it by this route. This expedition was fitted out by James Gordon Bennett, proprietor of the New York Herald, who, in 1877 had bought time Br ialora (which had made one arctic voyage under (mitt. Young), and
slier having her thoroughly refitted. had christened her the Jeannette. She was eon roved its far as St. Paul's, by the 13, S. steamer Alaska, and after taking in coal, and a supply of trained Esquimaux dogs, set sail for the discovery of the n. pole: at the eta, writing (April, 1881) the success or failure of Ibis expedition is not known, and the subject of tilting out as vessel to go in search of it is under consideration by conFes.s. The Jeannette was commanded by lieut. George W. De Long, U. S. N. In 1877 capt, IL N. Uowgate, U. S. N., proposed a plan for future exploration within the 81st paral lel, which met with general approval. This was to establish a colony at sonic point of the region named, to be made up of hardy and experienced arctic explorers, with a view of making this the base of constant future exploring northward. A bill appropriating $50,000 for this purpose was introduced into congress; but the design, though not aban Joned, has not been as yet accomplished.
Antarctic exploration has not been pursued to near the extent of that which has been directed toward the n. pole. Sir James loss reached let. 78° 11' s. in 1S1X-43, and this as the most southern point made by any navigator. The Climate of the antarctic region is much more severe than that of the arctic; and while there are more and different varieties of birds, there arc apparently no quadrupeds. Vegetation, which is prolific Nvithin the arctic circle, ceases in the antarctic at a certain point, which for trees is about 50' a. lat.