became exceedingly rocky and sterile ; and, at 

 last, projecting considerably to the northward, it 

 formed a hign and steep promontory. Some ice 

 had drifted dowii i;pon :bis ^ape ^vhich, we 

 feared, might check our prog:ress but, as the 

 evening was fine, we ventured upon pushing the 

 canoes through the small channels formed among 

 it. After pursuing this kind of navigation, with 

 some danger and more anxiety, we landed and 

 encamped on a smooth rocky point ; from whence 

 we perceived, with much satisfaction, that the ice 

 consisted only of detached pieces, which w^ould 

 be removed by the first breeze. We sounded in 

 seventeen fathoms, close to the shore, this day. 

 The least depth ascertained by the lead, since 

 our departure from the river, was six fathoms ; 

 and it may be remarked, that any ship might pass 

 safely between the islands and the main. The 

 water is of a light green colour, but not very 

 clear ; and it is much less salt than that of the 

 Atlantic, judging from our recollection of its 

 taste. In the course of the day we saw geese 

 and ducks wath their young, and two deer ; and 

 experienced very great variations of temperature, 

 from the light breezes blowing alternately from 

 the ice and the land. The name of " Lawford's 

 Islands" was bestowed on a group we passed in 

 the course of the day, as a mark of my respect 



