52G ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



and take possession of it, while the intimidated crew 

 fled for safety to the water, supporting themselves by 

 the gunwale and rings of the boat, until, by the as- 

 sistance of anothet party from their ship, it was 

 shot as it sat inoffensively in the stern. And, with 

 regard to narrow escapes, I shall only add, that a 

 sailor, who was pursued on a field of ice by a bear, 

 when at a considerable distance from assistance, 

 preserved his life, by throwing down an article of 

 clothing, whenever the bear gained upon him, on 

 which it always suspended the pursuit, vmtil it had 

 examined it, and thus gave him time to obtain some 

 advance. In this way, by means of a hat, a jacket, 

 and a neck handkerchief, successively cast down, the 

 progress of the bear was retarded, and the sailor 

 escaped from the danger that threatened him, in the 

 refuge afforded him by his vessel. 



Cervus Tarandus. — Rein-Deer. 



I have never seen this animal myself, though it 

 is known to inhabit almost every part of Spitzber- 

 gen. It is always lean in the spring of the year ; 

 but, after the wasting of the snow, and the advance 

 of vegetation, it feeds rapidly, and its flesh, towards 

 the end of July, is found to be excellent venison* 



