360 Discovenes in the Polar Regions. 



G' 



horrors of which they became more sensible after it was passed, 

 than during their endurance. The confinement to this single 

 spot for such a length of time, was not wholly unprofitable, 

 since it afforded the opportunity of making various observations 

 on points of science, respecting the form of the earth, and on 

 the various phsenoraena of magnetism. We understand, that 

 Captain Sabine has arrived at some very curious results upon 

 these subjects, which will probably appear in Captain Parry's 

 narrative. The twilight was sufficient at noon to enable them to 

 read small print in the open air, when the sun was in its greatest 

 southern declination. When the atmosphere was not obscured 

 by drifting snow, the day was like a clear winter's evening, but 

 the moon and stars did not appear more brilliant than is usual 

 in our climate. The Aurora Borealis was occasionally visible, 

 principally in the south, and at all hours, but this phsenomenon 

 was not peculiarly distinct or brilliant ; it would seem, indeed, 

 that our travellers were to the north of its splendour. That 

 they were north of the magnetic pole of the earth was evident 

 from the direction of the compass needles, which pointed to 

 the southward as they passed the longitude of about lOO'^. 



In April the severity of winter began to relent, and a conti- 

 nuous thaw set in about the end of May ; yet it was not till 

 the end of July, that the ice around the ships gave way. To- 

 wards the end of May, Captain Parry, with Captain Sabine, and 

 a party of officers and men, proceeded to the examination of 

 Melville Island, and crossed it to the sea on the opposite 

 side. On the west of this island is a considerable bay, called 

 Liddon's Gulf, bounded by high and precipitous shores, espe- 

 cially upon its north side. Towards its eastern extremity 

 were found the remains of huts belonging to the Esquimaux. 

 The soil in many places appeared soft and rich ; abundance of 

 sorrel was found, with saxifrage and other arctic plants, toge- 

 ther with several varieties of grass. The remains of a large 

 whale were also found far inland. 



The only quadrupeds which remained during the winter in 

 the islands, were wolves, foxes, and mice, which were occa- 

 sionally seen even in the severest weather ; and hares, which 



