594 NATURAL HISTORY AND PHENOMENA. 



high latitude of 82 29' north, a point far beyond the lim- 

 its of all previous navigation toward the pole errors in 

 the shore line of the west coast as laid down by Dr. Hayes, 

 and also errors in the shore line of Greenland as laid down 

 by Dr. Kane, were observed and corrected. 



But besides the geographical results, there are others 

 of quite as much importance, embracing valuable informa- 

 tion in regard to the natural history, the temperature and 

 the scientific phenomena. It was found that animal life 

 abounded. Musk-oxen were shot at intervals throughout 

 the winter, their food consisting of the moss and other 

 vegetation obtained during the season by scraping off the 

 snow with their hoofs. Wolves, bears and foxes and 

 other animals were repeatedly observed. Geese, ducks 

 and other water-fowl, including plover and other wading 

 birds, were very plenty during the summer, although the 

 species of laud birds were comparatively few ; there were, 

 however, large numbers of ptarmigan, or snow partridge. 

 No fish were seen, although the nets and lines were fre- 

 quently called into play in attempting to obtain them. 

 The waters, however, were found filled to an extraordi- 

 nary degree with marine invertebrata, including jelly-fish 

 and shrimps. Seals were very abundant. Numerous in- 

 sects were observed also, especially several species of but- 

 terflies, flies, bees and insects of like character. Quite 

 an extensive and varied collection of specimens was se- 

 cured, the store-rooms of the Polaris being filled with 

 skins and skeletons of musk-oxen, bears and other ani- 

 mals, different species of birds and their eggs, numerous 

 marine invertebrata, plants both recent and fossil, several 

 varieties of minerals, etc. 



The winter temperature was found to be much milder 

 than was expected, the minimum being 58 below zero in 

 January, although March proved to be the coldest month. 

 Bain was occasionally observed, only on the land, however. 

 During the summer the entire extent of both low-lands 



