468 ARCTIC VOYAGES. Chap. XII. 



Of the sand-flies near the lakes, and in the 

 valleys, he gives a most appalling account. He 



says — 



" How can I possibly give an idea of the torment we 

 endured from the sand-flies ? As we dived into the confined 

 and suffocating chasms, or waded through the close swamps, 

 they rose in clouds, actually darkening the air : to see or to 

 speak was equally difficult, for they rushed at every unde- 

 fended part, and fixed their poisonous fangs in an instant. 

 Our faces streamed with blood, as if leeches had been 

 applied, and there was a burning and irritating pain, fol- 

 lowed by immediate inflammation, and producing giddiness, 

 which almost drove us mad. Wherever we halted, which 

 the nature of the country compelled us to do often, the men, 

 even Indians, threw themselves on their faces, and moaned 

 with pain and agony ; for the time I thought the tiny 

 plagues worse even than mosquitoes." — p. 179. 



Even the Indians have never been able to con- 

 trive any means of extirpating these tormenting 

 creatures, or of escaping from their wounds. Their 

 usual mode is to throw themselves on their faces to 

 the ground, and to scream or moan with pain and 

 agony. Back thought of getting rid of them by 

 filling his tent with smoke, which brought to the 

 recollection of a former attendant, that the old chief 

 (Franklin) would not destroy a single mosquito. 

 On which Back says, — 



" It was the custom of Sir John Franklin never to kill a 

 fly, and, though teased by them beyond expression, especially 

 when engaged in taking observations, he would quietly de- 

 sist from his work, and patiently blow the half-gorged 

 intruders from his hands — * the world was wide enough for 



