TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 83 
compass-dial above described has been of very little 
use to us; our course was so bounded however by 
the land on one side, and the ice on the other, that 
a compass was very little required, for it was impos- 
sible for us to go much out of our way. 
The land we have passed during these two days, 
appeared to be as barren as that on which we 
landed to the southward (on the 7th inst.) ; it dif 
fered from it however in some respects, being in the 
first place considerably higher, and along the coast 
much more rugged, not unlike the land on the north 
side of the passage. 
Wednesday, 11th. —The weather being foggy the 
greatest part of the day, it was ee without 
compasses to know which way we were going; we 
therefore made fast to a floe of ice, and watered the 
ship from the pools on the surface of it. In the course 
of the afternoon several Narwhals were seen about 
the ship; and, as we had nothing particular to do at 
the time, a boat was lowered and sent after them, to 
try to kill one if possible ; in this the people succeed- 
ed without much difficulty, for one was secured by the 
first harpoon, and I have no doubt, had- fishing been 
our object, but many more might have been got. 
Notwithstanding his size, we managed to hoist him 
on board without being cut up; we could not conve- 
niently weigh him; but Ishould imagine from his bulk, 
when compared with the sea-horse, or Walrus, which 
we killed some time ago, that he would have weighed 
upwards of two tons. ‘The different measurements 
taken of him are inserted in the following page: 
I have therefore to add only the few remarks that 
appeared to me worthy of being noted. In the 
first place, then, as the horn is the most prominent 
G& 
