1853.] MUSK-OXEN. 315 



plained it to the leading man, the ship's cook : however, 

 on we pushed for the tents, packed, and departed. It was 

 a great disappointment, as I had intended sending Dr. 

 Lyall and Mr. Grove up the Great Valley, between this 

 and Wall Bluff, where I intended remaining, or possibly 

 moving on to Star Bluff: they would have enjoyed the 

 opportunity of good sport, and probably have met with 

 herds of musk-oxen, which we were now satisfied were 

 not scarce here, as these men noticed three, and pro- 

 bably they would have been taken had any sensible per- 

 son been present ; however, all was now deranged, and 

 it only remained for us to make good the positions lying 

 in our homeward route. Before reaching the depot (laid 

 out by Mr. Louey in April) we noticed two deer, but 

 they proved too wary for our eager sportsmen. 



Shortly after midnight on the 18th we encamped at the 

 Station. Mr. Allard had left a note, by which I learned 

 that he only quitted on the 13th. The weather clearing 

 off and a bright sun aiding, I ascended the high land in 

 rear, expecting to obtain a great range ; but the haze re- 

 sulting from heat destroyed my hopes, and I returned 

 unsuccessful. I waited for the sun at noon, but as it 

 did not seem inclined to show out, I strolled along the 

 land in search of fossils, which were very abundant, es- 

 pecially one or two varieties of madreporite, which were 

 here strewed in patches as if they had formed a sub- 

 marine garden ! Beyond, to seaward, the open spaces 

 of water were pretty well stocked with eider-duck and 

 brent-geese, which occasionally flew close over our heads ; 

 but, with the miserable fowling-pieces we had, killing 

 was an achievement rarely awarded to our exertions. 



