ON A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 291 



consequences demands the utmost deliberation and also 

 liberal provision for the persons engaged in the expedition. 

 It may therefore appear trivial, and probably be received 

 as an unnecessary hint, that, independently of the com- 

 forts of warm clothing, double or even greater stock of 

 provisions, and such other indispensable articles as ex- 

 perience or prudence may suggest, a supply of oil of 

 turpentine should be given to each vessel, as the applica- 

 tion of that liquid to any part of the body in a frozen 

 state, will prevent inflammation and its miserable conse- 

 quences. Parties going ashore, on the investigation of 

 natural objects, or making astronomical observations, 

 should be provided with a quantity of the same material, 

 and they will recollect this advice with satisfaction ; and, 

 this object in view, I have little doubt of being excused 

 for intruding a gratuitous opinion. 



From a desire that the reader should form correct 

 notions of this part of our subject, I have subjoined a 

 sketch of the countries around the North Pole, see 

 Chart I., which, although done on a small scale, will 

 convey a tolerably exact view of the state of the north 

 polar regions. The Polar Chart is not intended to display 

 more than the outlines, and a few leading circumstances, 

 and for particulars the reader is referred to the respective 

 charts of those countries. 



2 p 2 



