286 LARV.E OF FLIES. 



to represent head and foot stones. If one such structure 

 had been a freak of Nature, she seldom repeats such 

 freaks within thirty yards. 



May 30. About six P.M. the sledge crews separated ; 

 that of the ' Dauntless' to examine the outer remark- 

 able headlands, and erect conspicuous cairns, and our 

 own party to search these structures and the general fea- 

 tures of the coast easterly. 



After a very close examination, removing every loose 

 stone to the foundation in the solid rock, not a vestige 

 of anything but black dead moss was discovered, and 

 portions of this so blackened and pressed that it was at 

 first mistaken for human hair ; however, after due exami- 

 nation under the microscope, and subjection to fire, its 

 vegetable origin was clearly proved. At the very base, 

 interspersed in the moss, numerous minute black cells, 

 subsequently proved to be the chrysalis coverings of mi- 

 nute flies,* were detected, which leads to the inference 

 that these may have been caches for deer, etc. 



That these formations were constructed by human 

 hands, I have not the slightest doubt, moreover, in all 

 probability, by the same tribe which raised the cairn ; 

 but for what purpose remains still a matter of perplexity. 

 If for a cache, what necessity for moss ? for no moss or 

 vegetable production exists on this mount, and all this is 

 withered : beneath, near our tent, moss was very abun- 

 dant. But if they abstracted their food, why cover the 

 spots again so mysteriously ? 



* These larvae and chrysalides in 1854 were discovered in peat near 

 our winter station : they probably belong to the remains of lemmings, 

 which resort to hollows under stones for shelter. 



