The Norwegian Polar Expeditions

The Oerman geographer, Dr. Poter - munn, publishes in the curront number of hig Qeographisehe MUtheüungen an elabórate report on the recent Norwegian expedities to the Polur seas. It appears, from the observations and measureinents made by Captain Johviinosen and other conimanders, that tho se grows deepor toward the north. The whole of the inlet betwoen Nova Zembla and the Russian coast is less than 100 fathoms deep, except in three small plaoos, while to the north of Nova Zembla the places where the sea ia 1Ü0 fathoms deop are of great extéfat, and at 76 digree north latitude the depth attains 160 fathoms. The doepest part whioh has yet boen soundod in these waters is in tho Sea of Kara, east of the Island of Waigatsch (70 dogrees novth latitudo), where tho depth 's 400 fathoms. As to the climate, the Gulf Stream is shown by the Norwftgiar csplorers to extoud to Nova Zembla. The ütream is hore from 150 to 200 geographioal miles wide between tho 70th and 74th degrees of north latitudo, and of a considerably warmer temporature than that of tho adjoii'ing soas. It proceeds from west to uorth along the coast of Nova Zembla, whore it meets another warm current prooeeding from the mouth of tho Obi and the Yenissei in the south. The most important result of the Norwegian expeditions, says Dr. Petermann, is that they prove a complete dissolution oí the ice in the Sea bf Kara, and that the fragments of ice which are Still to be found there in the summor months in no way impede oither tho navigation or the fishery. It is now beyond a doubt that this soa, which has hitherto been in such bad repute, can be traversed ift all direotions, and that it is possible to sail roünd thó whole of the Island of Nova Zembla. This completely demolishes the old superstition which gave the Sea of Kara the name of an "ice collar." During the first half of the year, up to abont July lst, the navigation is barred by a huge boU Öf iCë bstH-een the 68th and 72d degrecs of north latittide, east and west of tho Kolgouyeff Islands. This belt éxtends northeastward from the Kussian coast to Nova Zembla, and oven in May its average bread th is 155 geographical miles. It may, howevcr, be avoided, thinks Dr. Petermann, by steering to the northeast from Norway, and to tho northwost from the White Sea uj) tö the 7.-!d or 74th dogree of north latitudo. During the whole of tiio moiiths öf July and August the Bea of Kara is cotnpietelV navigable, as its average temperatura u ii 2i aegnea K., and ice diaeolvea in those regions at a temperaturo of 3 degreos. It appears from these dato. conoludes Dr. Petorniann, that even in latitudes so high as 70 degrees, the sea though bloeked by hugti masses of ice for ten months in the year, is open for navigation, and completely freo from ice during the two romuinina' rnonths ; and that sciontifie disoeV.'rim Of (Jfflttt iteportanoe might be expected from aü oxpeditioh sent into the Polar Seas by way of the Sea of Kara, the Islands of New Siberia, and Behring Strait. K