96 DATE OF THE HUTS. [Allf/USf, 



of years" could be assigned to them. I have studied 

 this matter lately with some interest. I have dug in 

 the grave-circles (not fireplaces, for they do not contain 

 a trace of fuel) ; have noticed the bones, as well as the 

 moss, which latter doubtless was deposited with them ; 

 but the moss is not that of a long period, not hun- 

 dreds, nor fifties of years. I put the question to oppo- 

 nents, Why does the moss exist solely in these struc- 

 tures ? It is never seen outside these accumulations of 

 stones, nor does it belong to the locality, it is marsh 

 moss, brought from a distance. If this moss, torn up 

 and displaced, remains thus in its new locality, why does 

 the common saxifrage, which elsewhere abounds, cease 

 to exist near any of these spots ? 



But to return to the huts. These structures, more 

 recent, and unlike anything noticed at Cape Riley, in- 

 dicate more purpose, more determination to reside, and 

 are near to the very spot where walrus, seal, duck, deer, 

 etc., are to be met with, and the profusion of such bones 

 indicates this most completely. Deer we know to be 

 in this region ; they were fired at by some of our later 

 party, and their recent tracks on the snow were evident. 



The " teeming of animal life," described by our prede- 

 cessors at Cape Becher, we have not witnessed, nor have 

 we seen anything to warrant, beyond the chances of wal- 

 rus, anything worthy of being calculated on to support 

 a party, by the chase, on shore or afloat. Hunger, it is 

 true, reduces the appetite to strange food ; but at pre- 

 sent no attempt to substitute walrus or bear, for other 

 food, would be relished by the majority. 



At this point coal was found, both at the huts and at 



