OF THE POLAR SEA. 221 



fine themselves to the sea-coast and the islands. 

 The magpie berries (arbutus alpina) were found 

 quite ripe at this place, and very abundant on 

 the acclivities of the hills. We also ascended 

 the highest hill, and gained a view of a distant 

 chain of islands, extending as far as the eye 

 could reach, and perceived a few patches of ice 

 still remaining near to some of them ; but in every 

 other part the sea was quite open, Resuming 

 our voyage after noon, we proceeded along the 

 coast, which is fringed by islands ; and at five 

 P.M., entered another bay, where we were for 

 some time involved in our late difficulties by the 

 intricacy of the passages ; but we cleared them 

 in the afternoon, and encamped near the northern 

 entrance of the bay, at a spot which had recently 

 been visited by a small party of Esquimaux, as 

 the remains of some eggs, containing young, were 

 lying beside some half- burnt fire- wood. There 

 were also several piles of stones put up by them. 

 I have nam.ed this bay after my friend, Captain 

 David Buchan, of the Royal Navy. It appears 

 to be a safe anchorage, being well sheltered from 

 the wind and sea by islands ; the bottom is sandy. 

 Its shores are high, and composed of red sand- 

 stone. Two deer were seen on its beach, but 

 could not be approached. The distance we 



