London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row
Nearest the Pole
By Commander R. E. PEARY
(U. S. Navy; President of the National Geographic Society)
Author of “Northward over the Great Ice,” etc.
With an introduction by President Roosevelt and numerous illustrations selected from a collection of 1,200 of the Author’s photographs
In Crown 4to, cloth gilt and gilt top, 21s. net.
In this book Commander Peary relates the thrilling story of his endeavours to reach the North Pole. Although he did not succeed in his attempt, he managed to get nearer to the Pole than any of his predecessors. Sailing in the Roosevelt from Etah, North Greenland, on August 16th, 1905, the expedition soon encountered ice which made their progress both dangerous and difficult. After being icebound for some weeks, the vessel was extricated, but not floated again until the following summer. The sun disappearing from sight in October, was not seen again until March. The expedition re-started in February on a sledge trip in the direction of the Pole, and after dividing the party, Peary and his followers journeyed towards their goal encountering on their way, among other mishaps, a gale which lasted six days, during which time they found themselves some seventy miles out of their course. They then endeavoured to get intelligence of the other portion of their party, but had to abandon their attempt as their scouts could not locate their whereabouts. At length, by forced marches, Commander Peary, on April 21st, reached 87° 6´ N.
On this expedition Commander Peary did for the American segment of the Polar Basin what Nansen did for the Asiatic. The narrative is exceedingly dramatic. The explorer tells how he built the Roosevelt on an entirely different plan from any other Arctic ship, and not only adopted Eskimo clothing and made camps like Eskimos in ice and snow, but took Eskimos with him as guides. It is the seventh time that Peary has been North—oftener than any other explorer: and the Hubbard Gold Medal that President Roosevelt presented him on behalf of the National Geographic Society is the fifth he has received for his distinguished achievements in exploration. There will be an introduction to the book by President Roosevelt, and the beautiful pictures with which the book will be illustrated are selected from a collection of 1,200 of the author’s photographs.
London: HUTCHINSON & CO., Paternoster Row
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Male Emperor-moths (Saturnia pyri) hasten from great distances, even against the wind, to a female of the species emerging from the chrysalis state in captivity. Elephants, the author believes, can scent a fall of rain at a distance of many miles.
[2] The author would like to bring this fact home to all destroyers of herons, kingfishers, and diving-birds.
[3] The Masai distinguish the kinds of grass which their cattle eat and reject. Many kinds of grass with pungent grains, such as Andropogon contortus, L., are rejected entirely. Yet the tough bow-string hemp is to the taste of many wild animals—the small kudu, for instance.