M'CLURE'S EXPLORATIONS. 403 



Been on the 4th August, 1850, bearing gallantly into 

 the heart of the "polar pack." The Enterprise (Cap- 

 tain Collinson), finding it impossible to follow, sailed to 

 Hong-Kong, and wintered there ; but in May, 1851, 

 returned to Behring's Strait, and succeeded in enter- 

 ing the ice. The Plover remained at Port Clarence, as 

 a reserve for these two vessels to fall back upon, while 

 the Herald returned to England. From that date 

 nothing was heard of these two vessels, until the arrival 

 of the Phoenix, with the despatches of Captain M'Clure, 

 bringing assurance of the safety of the Investigator. 



On parting company with the Herald in Behring's 

 Strait, in July, 1850, Captain M'Clure stood to the 

 north-north-west, with a fresh breeze, with the intention 

 of making the ice, which was accomplished on the 2d 

 of August. During several days the Investigator battled 

 with the foe now boring through densely-packed 

 masses, and then winding among the lanes which 

 opened here and there as the currents or winds acted 

 upon the pack. Occasionally they struck with consid- 

 erable violence, but succeeded, at length, in rounding 

 Point Barrow, and discovered clear water on the after- 

 noon of the 7th so far ahead, however, that it could 

 only be seen from the " crow's nest." 



Hundreds of walruses were seen huddled together on 

 the ice, like sheep in a fold. M'Clure seems to have 

 been rather favorably impressed in regard to these ani- 

 mals, on account of the affection shown by the mothers 

 for their young. He would not allow them to be shot. 



The most remarkable feature of the walrus consists in 

 two teeth, or tusks, which project in a curved line from 

 the upper jaw, and are nearly two feet in length. They 

 are of beautiful white bone, almost equal to ivory, and 

 much used in the fabrication of artificial teeth. The 

 front face, when seen at a little distance, bears a striking 



