Between Sir Clements and his no less distinguished cousin, Sir Albert Markham, a life-long friendship existed, and the latter did not long survive him, dying soon after he had published his biography. I was fortunate enough, however, before he passed away, to obtain his kindly aid in reading the proofs of this volume, which, owing to his great knowledge of Arctic matters, quite apart from his own wide personal experiences of Arctic travel, was of no little value. The writer would desire here to render his affectionate tribute to the memory of a friend whose charming personality will long be recalled by all those who had the privilege of knowing him. In the revision of Scott’s journeys I have had the invaluable assistance of Mr Frank Debenham, Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, geologist to Capt. Scott’s last expedition, to whom my very grateful thanks are due. To Mr Edward Heawood, Librarian of the Royal Geographical Society, the reader is indebted for the helpful chronological table and bibliography at the end of the volume; and, finally, I have to thank Mr H. A. Parsons, of the Cambridge University Press, for his most efficient assistance in compiling the index. F. H. H. GUILLEMARD. CAMBRIDGE, _October, 1920_. CONTENTS PART I CHAP. PAGE I. THE ARCTIC REGIONS 3 II. ICE AND ICEBERGS 7 III. TRIBES AROUND THE POLE 13 IV. ULTIMA THULE 26 V. FIRST CROSSING OF THE THRESHOLD 30 VI. THE NORSEMEN IN GREENLAND 38 VII. NICHOLAS OF LYNN. ZENO. MEDIEVAL NAUTICAL INSTRUMENTS 53 VIII. FIRST ENGLISH VOYAGES TO THE NORTH-EAST. WILLOUGHBY. CHANCELLOR. BURROUGH. PET 58 IX. BARENTSZ. LINSCHOTEN. DE VEER 68 X. SIR MARTIN FROBISHER 81 XI. JOHN DAVIS 93 XII. THE MERCHANT ADVENTURERS AND RICHARD HAKLUYT 104 XIII. GREENLAND VOYAGE OF HALL AND BAFFIN 112 XIV. EARLY SPITSBERGEN VOYAGES 117 XV. EARLY VOYAGES TO HUDSON’S BAY 129 XVI. WILLIAM BAFFIN 138 XVII. JENS ERIKSEN MUNK. FOXE AND JAMES. WOOD 149 XVIII. HANS EGEDE AND DANISH GREENLAND 158 XIX. THE HUDSON’S BAY COMPANY. HEARNE AND MACKENZIE, COOK AND PHIPPS 165