Overlafid Arctic Expedition. I#l 



gulley, and every step of the way I could witness the desolation 

 of the torrent. Taking the whole excavation for the twelve 

 miles in which I followed it, it is the highest exhibition of the 

 effects of physical force, instantaneously exerted, which I have 

 yet seen. 



See Plate III. for a Plan of the Lakes, illustrative of the de- 

 tails above given. 



Overland Arctic Expedition. 



XX S any notice, however short, of the scientific doings of this 

 enterprise, cannot fail to prove acceptable, we now add the fol- 

 lowing details to those already communicated. 



" Fort Frankliit, Great Bear Lake, 

 « February 6. 1826. 



" Nothing of any importance has occurred since I wrote you 

 last, except that we have received a friendly message from the 

 Esquimaux, through the Sharp Eyes, a neighbouring tribe, 

 who frequent Fort Good Hope, the most northerly of the Com- 

 pany's posts. On the 29th of November last, the S. W. quar- 

 ter of the sky was cloudless, but of a pure emerald-green colour 

 (compared at the moment with Syme's book), soon fading away 

 into mountain-green. The rays of the sun setting to the S.S.E. 

 at the same time tinged some clouds gold-yellow, &c. The au- 

 rora has not been so frequent, and our observations of course 

 upon it are not so interesting, as at Fort Enterprise As far as 

 they go, they confirm the few general remarks then hazarded, 

 although I think not favourable, in general, to Hansteen's theory. 

 With regard to facts. Captain Franklin's observations and Han- 

 steen's seem to agree. The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal 

 for March 1825 reached us last month, and has proved a great 

 treat to us. I am glad to see it go on so vigorously. 



" We expect, if every thing prospers with us, and at present 

 we have no reason to fear any misadventure, that we shall reach 

 England early in November 1827. This is rather too quick a 

 movement for the purposes of science. Even a cursory view of the 

 geology of the Rocky Mountains §kirt;ng Mackenzie's River 



OCTOBER — DECEMBER 1826. L 



