OF THE POLAR SFA. 87 
vegetables of every description. Many kinds of 
pot-herbs have already been brought to some 
perfection, and the potatoes bid: fair to equal 
those of England. The spontaneous productions 
of nature would afford ample nourishment for all 
the European animals. Horses feed extremely 
well even during the winter, and so would oxen, 
if provided with hay, which may be easily done *. 
Pigs also improve, but require to be kept warm 
im the winter. Hence it appears, that the resi- 
dents might with common attention, render them- 
selves far less dependant on the Indians for sup- 
port, and be relieved from the great anxiety 
which they too often suffer when the hunters are 
unsuccessful. The neighbourhood of the houses 
has been much cleared of wood, from the great 
demand for fuel ; there is, therefore, little to ad- 
mire in the surrounding scenery, especially in 
its winter garb ; few animated objects occur to 
enliven the scene; an occasional fox, marten, 
rabbit, or wolf, and a few birds, contribute the 
only variety. The birds which remained were 
* “The wild buffalo serapes away the snow with its feet to get 
at the herbage beneath, and the horse, which was introduced by 
the Spanish invaders of Mexico, and may be said to have become 
naturalized, does the same ; but it is worthy of remark, that the ox 
more lately brought from Europe, has. not yet acquired an art so 
necessary for procuring its food.’—(Extract from Dr. Richardson's 
Journal.) 
