. 136 A VOYAGE OF DISCOVERY 
more remarkable, since the shore, and, indeed, the 
whole of the land around the harbour, and its 
vicinity, is low. This country has now a very bleak 
appearance : the whole of the surface of the land is 
covered with a thin layer of snow; and in the val- 
lies, and those places where vegetation was most 
abundant, it is in some parts of considerable depth. 
Notwithstanding the best pasture is in this manner 
already covered over, we have the satisfaction of 
finding that the reindeer have not yet left this neigh- 
bourhood, as two very large ones were seen this fore- 
noon at a short distance from the ships. The nature 
of the land is certainly not favourable for approaching 
these timid animals unperceived; but still Iam in 
hopes that we shall succeed in killing some of them. 
Two covies of grous were also seen to-day, so that 
it may be expected that we shall be able to procure 
some of them also. 
Thursday, 30th. — The people have been employed 
for these four days past in unrigging the ships, and 
taking the boats, yards, masts, and rigging* ashore, 
where they are to remain all winter, under a shed 
that is to be erected for them. The lower masts and 
rigging are not to be touched, and I believe that our 
main-top-mast is not to be removed, in order that 
parties that may be away shooting, may see the direc- 
tion in which the ships are, at a greater distance than 
they would otherwise do. Of this indeed, I have al- 
ready proved the advantage, for I could see the mast- 
head to-day when several miles in the country, and 
* Our anvil was lost the other day by breaking through the ice 
whilst they were taking it on shore. 
