[5] Since writing the above I have tried to make such a calculation, and have come to the conclusion that the aggregate rainfall is not so large as I had at first supposed. See my paper in The Norwegian Geographical Society's Annual, III., 1891-92, p. 95; and The Geographical Journal, London, 1893, p. 5. [6] The discovery during our expedition of a great depth in the polar basin renders it highly probable that this assumption is correct. [7] The experience of our expedition, however, does not point to any such eastward-flowing current along the Siberian coast. [8] I first thought of choosing the route through Bering Strait, because I imagined that I could reach the New Siberian Islands safer and earlier in the year from that side. On further investigation I found that this was doubtful, and I decided on the shorter route through the Kara Sea and north of Cape Cheliuskin. [9] As subsequently stated in my lecture in London (Geographical Society's Journal, p. 18), I purposed to go north along the west coast of the New Siberian Islands, as I thought that the warm water coming from the Lena would keep the sea open here. [10] See the Society's Annual, III., 1892, p. 91. [11] Both my lecture and the discussion are printed in The Geographical Journal, London, 1893, Vol. I., pp. 1-32. [12] After our return home, Admiral Nares, in the most chivalrous fashion, sent me a letter of congratulation, in which he said that the Fram's remarkable voyage over the Polar Sea proved that my theory was correct and his scepticism unfounded. [13] With reference to his statement that Leigh-Smith had observed such icebergs on the northwest coast of Franz Josef Land, it may be remarked that no human being has ever been there. [14] Nearly £25,000. [15] This oil, by means of a specially constructed steam-jet apparatus, was injected into the furnaces in the form of a fine spray, where it burned in a very economical and saving manner, giving forth a great amount of heat. The apparatus was one which has been applied to locomotives in England, whence it was procured. It appeared, however, that it tended to overheat the boiler at one particular point, where it made a dent, so that we soon abandoned this method of firing. [16] I had thought of procuring dogs from the Eskimo of Greenland and Hudson Bay, but there proved to be insuperable difficulties in the way of getting them conveyed from there.