University of Nevada, Reno Spring 2023
The True Object of Arctic Research.
The best results will be gained by considering the exploration of the polar regions as one continuous task, and fitting every new expedition into the far-seeing scheme of a thorough investigation of all the problems subject to Arctic researches. In this way we have the strong conviction that important results will be gained quicker than by spasmodic efforts now in Greenland, now in Behring Strait, now in Franz-Josef Land. There can be no doubt that such a plan will be expensive, and not so apt to produce stirring results as any other; however, it is not the purpose of the outgoing explorers to become sufferers and enduring heroes. 1 but to bring home results which are important for their science. The meteorological stations which were established in 1882—'83 were the first step to the organization of an enterprise like that we demand, and their results will show the utility of well-founded plans.
Hitherto I have only referred to the exploration of the unknown region never visited by men. There is more work left, however, which has to be included in a comprehensive plan of research. The southern part of the Arctic regions—for example, the cast shore 'of regions—for Greenland, many of the immense fjords of its west shore, Baffin Land, and the central parts of the north shore of America—are barely de-lineated. If we look at the charts, we might be induced to believe that most of those lauds are sufficiently known, while, indeed, every new journey discloses the deficiency of our knowledge.
These countries, which may be reached without serious difficulties, are the proper place for investigations of great importance, and the exploration of the Arctic is even more urgent than that of the far north, as the study of the numerous tribes which live on the shore of the Arctic Ocean has to be accomplished very soon; else the rapid diminution of those peoples and the influence of European civilization will deprive the ethnographer of anything to study but their moldering remains. - Dr. Franz Boas, in Popular Science Monthly for May.
Devil's Lake Inter-Ocean, Ramsey County, Dakota, 30 May 1885, page 3
James L'Angelle English Undergraduate Dept.
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