128 LOOM SOUP. Chap. IX. 



retaining their original coating of red paint. Doubtless 

 these were part of the spoils from Navy Board Inlet depot. 

 The total absence of fresh wood or iron was strongly in 

 favour of the old woman's veracity. Since yesterday, ice, 

 about 1 6 miles in extent, has broken up in the inlet, and is 

 drifting out into Baffin's Bay. 



During my absence our shooting parties have twice visited 

 a loonier y upon Cape Graham Moore, and each time have 

 brought on board 300 looms. 



The most favourite dish of the three former expeditions 

 was loom soup. So long as we had the necessary ingredients, 

 the following receipt of our excellent steward, James Gore, 

 was strictly followed. It suited well for divers, ducks, and 

 all sea-birds, especially those with dark flesh ; and it would 

 in many instances be useful in rendering very palatable this 

 description of wholesome food, which otherwise would be 

 rejected. We considered our loom soup incomparable ; 

 more like hare soup than any other, but richer, darker, and 

 better adapted to our climate, our appetites, and conse- 

 quently to our tastes : — 



LOOM SOUP. 



Take 8 looms, skin and take off the two white lumps near the tail ; 

 clean and split them into pieces ; wash them well, also the livers. Put 

 them into a large saucepan, and cover them well with water, and boil 

 for four or five hours. 



An hour before serving up, put in J lb. of bacon cut up small ; season 

 with pepper and salt, 2 tablespoonfuls of Harvey sauce, a little Cayenne 

 pepper, half a wineglass of lemon juice, a teaspoonful of ground allspice, 

 and a few cloves ; thicken with 4 tablespoonfuls of flour mixed in cold 

 water, then stirred gradually into the soup. 



Add 2 pint of wine, after which let it boil for a few minutes. 



The result will be 4 quarts of rich soup. 



Only a very few birds were seen during our walk over the 

 rich mossy slopes to-day. I saw a pair of Canadian brown 

 cranes, the first of the species I have ever seen so far 

 north. Sir Robert M'Clure found them on Bank's Land. 



