OF THE POLAR SEA. 55 
Lake, which has a very irregular form, and near 
its middle takes a sudden turn, from whence it 
derives its name. It is thickly studded with 
islands, and its shores are low and well-wooded. 
The surrounding country, as far as we could see, 
is flat, being destitute even of the moderate ele- 
vations which occur near the upper part of Hill 
River. The weather was remarkably fine, and 
the setting sun threw the richest tints over the 
scene that I remember ever to have witnessed. 
About half a mile from the bend or knee of 
the lake, there is a small rocky islet, composed 
of magnetic iron ore, which affects the magnetic 
needle at a considerable distance. Having re- 
ceived previous information respecting this cir- 
cumstance, we watched our compasses carefully, 
and perceived that they were affected at the dis- 
tance of three hundred yards, both on the ap- 
proach to and departure from the rock: on de- 
creasing the distance, they became gradually 
more and more unsteady, and on landing they 
were rendered quite useless ; and it was evident 
that the general magnetic influence was totally 
overpowered by the local attraction of the ore. 
When Kater’s compass was held near to the 
ground on the N.W. side of the island, the needle 
dipped so much that the card could not be made 
to traverse by any adjustment of the hand; but 
