‘TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 101 
made we found to be in latitude 75° 9’ N., and longi- 
tude, by chronometer, 103° 50’ W. The tide was 
flowing when we landed, and, during the four hours 
we were on shore, it only rose sixteen inches; the 
flood came from the northward and westward. This 
island was, as near as I could judge, about ten miles 
in length, that is, if it be taken for granted that its 
greatest diameter is from north to south or in the 
direction that we viewed it; but it is possible that I 
may be premature in thus attempting to give its 
dimensions before we have seen it all round, for it 
may extend to the westward farther than we have 
any idea of yet. It resembled exactly, as to appear- 
ance, the islands that we have been passing for seve- 
ral days past, being low near the coast, and rising 
gradually towards the interior. ‘The sea-coast, and 
a considerable part of the surface of it, indeed, as 
far as we went inland, was composed of fine sand ; 
and the fixed rocks, wherever they were seen above 
the surface, were found to consist of white sandstone 
of a very soft and fine texture ; and I have no doubt 
but the islands that we have passed lately are com- 
posed of the ‘same kind of stone, for ever since we 
got amongst them the soundings have been found to 
consist of fine sand; whilstthat brought up by the lead, 
when we were passing the high land to the eastward, 
consisted of soft mud that effervesced when touched 
with acid. The vegetation on this island was, when 
compared with what we have lately seen, rather 
luxuriant ; moss in particular grew in considerable 
abundance in the moist valleys, and along the banks 
of the streams that flowed from the hills. These 
streams were, indeed, at this time almost dried up, 
H 3 
