Feb. 25, 1856.] ANIMAL LIFE IN THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 53 



tion of Geographical Societies in other countries. At the same time he 

 disclaimed all intention of a blind imitation of their proceedings, or any 

 attempt at rivalry with them. , '' 



Abstract of a Paper on Animal Life in the Arctic Begions. By 



P. L. SiMMONDS.* 



Read 1852. 



Mr. Simmonds's object is to show that the coasts of Greenland, the islands and 

 shores of Baffin's Bay, the shores of the mainland, and islands to the north 

 of the continent of America, abound v/ith animal life. 



At Whalefish Islands, Sir John Ross's officers used in the evening to shoot 

 enough sea-fowl to supply all hands. In Melville Bay, Mr. Snow, in his 

 account of the voyage of the ' Prince Albert,' says that in August there were 

 innumerable quantities of birds. Mr. Penny filled two whaleboats with eggs 

 from an island at the head of the baj''. Wolstenholme Sodnd was found to' be 

 frequented by deer, bears, foxes, hares, lemmings, wolverines, and many . 

 varieties of sea-fowl. At Carey's Islands, 1000 loon were obtained in two 

 days by the boats of the 'Assistance.' Dovekies and rotges were also 

 abundant. 



In Regent Inlet, and on Boothia Peninsula, Sir J. Eoss, from 1829 to 1833, 

 obtained quantities of animal food almost throughout the year. Whales, 

 seals, and narwhals were numerous. The Esquimaux caught 18 or 20 seals 

 in a couple of days. Two musk-oxen, and very many bears of large size, 

 were killed. Hares and foxes were common food. Grouse, ducks, &c. were 

 easily obtained. Salmon of one and two pounds weight were taken in the 

 lakes by 4000 and 5000 at a time ; and animals were equally plentiful at all 

 parts of the Inlet. 



While at Port Leopold in the winter of 1848-49, shooting parties of two 

 men, from both the ' Enterprise ' and ' Investigator,' were stationed at Whaler 

 Point, and so. plentiful were dovekies and loon, that a bird per man was 

 served out regularly to the ships' crews : 4000 birds, yielding 2500 lbs. of 

 meat, were shot, and more than 100 foxes caught. Between Cape York and 

 Cape Cater, Captain Parker, of the ' Truelove,' caught 28 and lost 15 whales. 

 He found the sea there literally swarming with life. The number of the 

 larger animals excited unmixed amazement, while innumerable birds covered 

 the water. 



In Repulse Bay, Dr. Rae shot 162 deer, 200 partridges, besides taking two 

 seals and some salmon, in the winter of 1846-47. He took with him four 

 months' provisions, was absent 14 months and 23 days, and had at his 

 return two-thirds of his original stock. 



On the mainland, Sir J. Richardson, in the winter of 1848-49, collected 

 5191 fish, 13,810 lbs. of venison, 9220 of half-dry venison, 360 lbs. of 

 pounded meat, 253 lbs. of reindeer fat, and 625 reindeer tongues. Mr. Isbister 

 found no difficulty in supporting a large party near the mouth of the Mackenzie 

 River from the fisheries only. In the barren grounds between Fort Enterprise 

 and the mouth of the Coppermine River, Sir J. Franklin's party shot more 

 than 200 deer in a very short time, and large flocks of way veis were met with. 

 The fishery at Fort Enterprise yielded 1200 white fish, weighing from two to 

 three pounds each, and 40 excellent salmon and white fish were taken at a 

 draught near the Bloody Falls. Geese and ducks were abundant, and about 

 two dozen musk-oxen and a bear or two were also killed. 



* This may be considered supplementary to a paper on the same subject, 

 printed in the * Journal of the Royal Geographical Society/ 1852. 



