USE OF SNOW. 345 



round the ship until they were picked up and established 

 upon the decks. 



The Esquimaux dog is described as resembling in 

 form the shepherd's dog, rising to the height of the 

 Newfoundland, but broad like the mastiff; having short 

 pricked ears, a furry coat, and a bushy tail. In general 

 they are observed to bear a strong resemblance to the 

 wolf, and the opinion is even prevalent that the former 

 exhibit only the latter in a tamed state ; but the avidity 

 with which the wolf devours his supposed brethren does 

 not seem quite consistent with so close an affinity. 

 Frequent beatings are necessary to train these dogs for 

 acting as a regular team. But their greatest sufferings 

 respect the want of food. Captain Parry saw one which 

 ate a large piece of canvas, a cotton handkerchief laid 

 out to dry, and a piece of a linen shirt. When these 

 animals are yoked in the sledge, a whip of twenty feet 

 long enforces obedience ; while peculiar cries indicate 

 the right or left, to turn, or to stop. 



A singular fact is related in Dr. Sutherland's journal 

 in regard to the use of snow for allaying thirst : " The 

 use of snow when persons are thirsty does not by any 

 means allay the insatiable desire for water ; on the con- 

 trary, it appears to be increased in proportion to the 

 quantity used, and the frequency with which it is put 

 into the mouth. For example : a person walking along 

 feels intensely thirsty, and he looks to his feet with 

 coveting eyes ; but his sense and firm resolutions are 

 not to be overcome so easily, and he withdraws the 

 open hand that was to grasp the delicious morsel and 

 convey it into his parching mouth. He has several 

 miles of a journey to accomplish, and his thirst is every 

 moment increasing ; he is perspiring profusely, and 

 feels quite hot and oppressed. At length his good res- 

 olutions stagger, and he partakes of the smallest par* 



