1892.] NATURAL SCIENCES OF PHILADELPHIA. 343 



The next morning found us at the Duck Islands, where a supply 

 of ducks was laid in, and at night we got under way for the passage 

 of Melville Bay. Up to this time no ice had been met since leaving 

 the Strait. By midnight our further progress was arrested by the 

 ice, and not until July 23rd did the " Kite " get free from it off 

 Conical Rock. 



In the meantime I had had the misfortune to have both bones of 

 my right leg broken just above the ankle, by a blow from the iron 

 tiller while the Kite was ramming her way through the ice. This 

 accident occurred on the 11th of July, and from that time until July 

 27th (when I was carried ashore strapped to a plank), I lay upon my 

 back in the cabin. 



Early Saturday morning, July 25th, after futile efforts to force a 

 passage through the ice which still stretched unbroken across Inglefield 

 Gulf, the "Kite" swung around into McCormick Bay, on the north 

 side of Omenak or Murchison Sound, and two boat parties were 

 immediately sent out to reconnoitre the shores of the Bay for a house 

 site. This was soon selected, and the work of erecting the house 

 commenced at once. Fortunately, all the frames had been cut and 

 fitted while we were fast in the Melville Bay ice, before the accident 

 to my leg, and the remainder of the work was comparatively plain 

 sailing. 



Monday afternoon I was transferred to my tent on shore, close to 

 the house where I could supervise the work. Two days later, on the 

 29th of July, all my supplies having been landed, I turned the 

 "Kite "over to Professor Heilprin, and early the next morning 

 (Thursday), she steamed south. During this time, the crew of the 

 " Kite " and Professor Heilprin's party rendered my party much 

 assistance in the work on the house. Saturday the roof was com- 

 pleted, and I was carried in, to escape a furious storm of wind and 

 rain. Tidal and meteorological observations were commenced at 

 once. 



On the 12th of August, my house being completed as to the 

 exterior, I sent Gibson, Dr. Cook, Verhoeff and Astrup in the 

 " Faith," Gibson in command, with instructions to go to the great 

 loomeries of Hakluyt Island, and obtain a supply of birds for our 

 winter use; then to search the shores of Northumberland and Her- 

 bert for natives, and bring me back a hunter and his family. If no 

 natives were found here, Gibson Avas to cross Whale Sound to the 

 settlement of Nettiulume. In six days the party i-eturned, Gibson 



