OF THE POLAR SEA. 343 
him to be absent ten days to provide his family 
_ with clothing, as the skin of the rein-deer is unfit 
for that purpose after the month of September. 
We could not refuse to grant such a reasonable 
request, but caused St. Germain to accompany 
him, that his absence might not exceed the ap- 
pointed time. Previous to his departure the 
chief warned us to be constantly on our guard 
against the grizzly bears, which he described as 
being numerous in this vicinity, and very feroci- 
sd 
ous; one had been seen to-day by an Indian, to 
which circumstance the lake owes its appellation. 
We afterwards learned that the only bear in this 
part of the country is the brown bear, and that 
they by no means possess the ferocity which the 
Indians ascribe to them with their usual love of 
exaggeration. The fierce grizzly bear, which 
frequents the sources of the Missouri, is not found 
: # 
on the barren grounds. 
The shores of this lake and the neighbouring 
hills are principally composed of sand and gravel; 
they are much varied in their outline and present 
some picturesque scenery. 
The following ‘observations were taken here: 
latitude 64° 15’ 17” N., longitude 113° 2 20-W.; 
variation of the compass 36° 50° 47" E. ; and dip 
of the needle 87° 20' 35". 
On August the 17th, having finished drying the 
