It will be learned whether the great Victoria chain of mountains, which has been traced from the Ross Sea to the Pole, extends across the continent and thus links up (except for the ocean break) with the Andes of South America, and whether the great plateau around the Pole dips gradually towards the Weddell Sea.
"Continuous magnetic observations will be taken on the journey.

The route will lead towards the Magnetic Pole, and the determination of the dip of the magnetic needle will be of importance in practical magnetism.

The meteorological conditions will be carefully noted, and this should help to solve many of our weather problems.
"The glaciologist and geologist will study ice formations and the nature of the mountains, and this report will prove of great scientific interest.
"Scientific Work by Other Parties.
"While the Trans-continental party is carrying out, for the British Flag, the greatest Polar journey ever attempted, the other parties will be engaged in important scientific work.
"Two sledging parties will operate from the base on the Weddell Sea.
One will travel westwards towards Graham Land, making observations, collecting geological specimens, and proving whether there are mountains in that region linked up with those found on the other side of the Pole.
"Another party will travel eastward toward Enderby Land, carrying out a similar programme, and a third, remaining at the base, will study the fauna of the land and sea, and the meteorological conditions.
"From the Ross Sea base, on the other side of the Pole, another party will push southward and will probably await the arrival of the Trans- continental party at the top of the Beardmore Glacier, near Mount Buckley, where the first seams of coal were discovered in the Antarctic.

This region is of great importance to the geologist, who will be enabled to read much of the history of the Antarctic in the rocks.
"Both the ships of the Expedition will be equipped for dredging, sounding, and every variety of hydrographical work.

The Weddell Sea ship will endeavour to trace the unknown coast-line of Graham Land, and from both the vessels, with their scientific staffs, important results may be expected.
"The several shore parties and the two ships will thus carry out geographical and scientific work on a scale and over an area never before attempted by any one Polar expedition.
"This will be the first use of the Weddell Sea as a base for exploration, and all the parties will open up vast stretches of unknown land.