~ 
Polar Explorations. 145 
_ expedition which wintered there in 1819. It differs from 
Spitzbergen in its extensive snow clad plains, with a few hills 
of moderate altitude; and although the west and south 
coasts are bold and precipitous, there is not a mountain on 
the island. Its north coast is entirely barren, and for many 
leagues no living animal was seen. On the south shores, a 
few Musk oxen, and Rein deer were seen and the sunny sides 
of the ravines, and sheltered vallies were covered with sorrel 
and mosses, and other arctic productions. 
T ound no Esquimaux, but some ruinous traces of huts 
were passed, which seemed to have been long forsaken. 
It is extremely interesting to observe the gradation of char- 
acter in the savages, as they recede from the borders of the 
Arctic Ocean. 
Esquimaux.who inhabit the north coast of America, 
Greenland and the islands between Bhering’s strait and the 
Atlantic—the Lappes—the Samoieds, and the aboriginal 
Kamschatdales on the European and Asiatic coasts, abating 
some slight variations, might almost be taken for members 
of a family, so striking is their resemblance. Their moral 
elevation is but little above that of the wolves and foxes 
with whom they divide the scanty spoils of those frozen soli- 
tudes. Like them they are engaged in taking their prey, or 
to the few modes which they have for procuring subsistence, 
and defending th Ives from the cold. The only touch of 
humane feeling which they appear to possess, is a strong at- 
kind of complaint, designed to excite compassion, and thus to 
extract further gifts from their benefactors. A considerable 
number winter in Hudson’s Bay, living in snow huts, and feed- 
ing upon seals and walruses taken through the ice. The few 
who pass the summer at Melvilleisland, forsake it with the deer 
and other animals in October. They remain in one place until 
Vor. XVI.—No. 1. 19 
