ESQUIMAUX DOGS. 343 



The men were kept amused during the winter by the- 

 atrical representations, balls, and masquerades, after 

 Captain Parry's example ; but the schools and libraries 

 were the most valuable auxiliaries in preventing ennui. 

 Geographical studies were especially popular. After 

 the nightly lessons, it was often necessary to settle 

 forecastle disputes as to the insular character of Cape 

 Horn, the Roman Catholic faith of the Chinese, and the 

 identity of the crocodiles of the Nile with the alligators 

 of the Mississippi. 



Far from the least interesting members of this Arctic 

 community were a kennel of Esquimaux dogs, that had 

 been established in a snow-hut near the ships. The 

 four oldest had accompanied Mr. Petersen, the Danish 

 interpreter, from Greenland. But these had thriven 

 and multiplied amid the congenial scenes of ice and 

 snow, so that complete teams for two sledges could be 

 furnished out in spring. They were great favorites 

 among the seamen, and flocked eagerly round the first 

 person who emerged from the snow-covered ships in 

 the morning. They were, nevertheless, of highly jeal- 

 ous temperament ; for, if one of them chanced to receive 

 more notice than his companions, the lucky fellow was 

 forthwith attacked by the rest of the pack. This so 

 constantly occurred, that some of the cunning young 

 dogs became afraid of the men's caresses, and ran away 

 the moment any marked demonstrations of kindness 

 were directed towards them. 



In many points, amusing instances of the adaptation 

 of canine instinct to the necessities of Arctic life were 

 displayed. In fine, sunny weather, the dogs satisfied 

 their thirst by lapping the surface snow ; but in colder 

 periods of the season they burrowed some inches down 

 for their supply of frozen water. In extremely severa 

 weather, they constantly coiled themselves closely up, 



