OF THE POLAR SEA. 



115 



muscle, on which nature at certain seasons forms a considerable quan- 

 tity of fat. It is attached to the long spinous processes of the first 

 dorsal vertebrae, and seems to be destined to support the enormous 

 head of the animal. The meat which covers the spinal processes 

 themselves, after the wig is removed, is next in esteem for its flavour 

 and juiciness, and is more exclusively termed the hump by the 

 hunters. 



■ 



The party was prevented from visiting a Stone Indian encamp- 

 ment by a heavy Ml of snow, which made it impracticable to go and 

 return the same day. We were dissuaded from sleeping at their 

 tents by the interpreter at the N.W. post, who told us they consi- 

 dered the diseases of hooping-cough and measles, under which they 

 were now suffering, to have been introduced by some white people 

 recently arrived in the country, and that he feared those who had 

 lost relatives, imagining we were the persons, might vent their 

 revenge on us. We regretted to learn these diseases have been very 

 destructive among the tribes along the Saskatchawan, and that they 

 have carried off about three hundred persons, Crees and Asseenaboines, 

 within the trading circle of these establishments. The interpreter also 

 informed us of another bad trait peculiar to the Stone Indians. Though 

 they receive a visitor kindly at their tents, and treat him very hos- 

 pitably during his stay, yet it is very probable they will despatch 

 some young men to way-lay and rob him in going towards the post : 

 indeed all the traders assured us it was more necessary to be vigi- 

 lantly on our guard on the occasion of a visit to them, than at any 

 other time. 



Carlton House, (which our observations place in latitude 52° 50' 

 47" N., longitude, 106° 12' 42" W., variation 20° 44' 47" E.) is 

 pleasantly situated about a quarter of a mile from the river's side on 

 the flat ground under the shelter of the high banks that bound the 

 plains. The land is fertile, and produces, with little trouble, ample 

 returns of wheat, barley, oats and potatoes. The ground is prepared 



Q 2 



