OF THE POLAR SEA. 



341 



varied in height from one thousand two hundred to one thousand 

 five hundred feet. For a description of the character of the rocks I 

 must refer the reader to Dr. Kichardson's Mineralogical Observa- 

 tions. The uniformity of the mountains is interrupted by narrow 

 valleys traversed by small streams. The best specimens of metal 

 we procured were found among the stones in these valleys, and it 

 was in such situations that our guides desired us to search most 

 carefully. It would appear, that when the Indians see any sparry 

 substance projecting above the surface, they dig there ; but they 

 have no other rule to direct them, and have never found the metal 

 in its original repository. Our guides reported that they had found 

 copper in large pieces in every part of this range, for two days' walk 

 to the north-west, and that the Esquimaux come hither to search 

 for it. The annual visits which the Copper Indians were accus- 

 tomed to make to these mountains, when most of their weapons 

 and utensils were made of copper, have been discontinued since 

 they have been enabled to obtain a supply of ice chisels and other 

 instruments of iron by the establishment of trading posts near to 

 their hunting grounds. That none of those who accompanied us had 

 visited them for many years was evident, from their ignorance of the 



spots most abundant in metal. 



The impracticability of navigating the river upwards from the 

 sea, and the want of wood for forming an establishment, would 

 prove insuperable objections to rendering the collection of copper 

 at this part worthy of mercantile speculation. 



We had the opportunity of surveying the country from several 

 elevated positions. Two or three small lakes only were visible, 

 still partly frozen; and much snow remained on the mountains 

 The trees were reduced to a scanty fringe on the borders of the 

 river, and every side was beset by naked mountains. 



The day was unusually warm, and, therefore, favourable for drying 



