278° Dr. Traill on Capt. Scoresby’s Voyage to Greenland. [Oct. 
the ancient colonies from Iceland, the fate of which is still veiled 
in such deep obscurity. 
Capt. S. discovered several very extensive inlets; some of 
them indeed, it was ascertained, penetrate at least 60 miles 
within the general cut of the coast, and even then were without 
any visible termination. From the number and extent of these 
inlets ; from the direction which some of them pursue; and 
from the many islands with which the coast is flanked, Capt. 
Scoresby believes the whole country to be a vast assemblage of 
islands ; and he has grounds for concluding, that some of the 
inlets are passages communicating with Baffin’s Bay ! 
But this is not all. The general form of the iand was found 
to be so very unlike what is represented in our maritime charts, 
that only ¢hvee places laid down could be recognised; and the 
error in the longitude of these, according to most of the charts, 
was no less than 15 degrees! 
Capt. Scoresby landed on various parts of the coast, and in 
some of the bays; and on each visit to the shore discovered 
traces of inhabitants ; some of them apparently recent. In one 
place he met with a considerable hamlet of deserted huts, among 
which were many graves. About this place he obtained many 
fragments of the domestic and fishing utensils of the inhabitants. 
Though the weather at sea was generally cold, the thermometer 
being about 38° or 40° Fahr. on the hills near this hamlet it was 
hot and sultry, and the air swarmed with musquitoes. 
Capt. Scoresby has made a large collection of plants and of 
minerals, especially of rocks: he has also brought some zoolo- 
gical specimens. Animals of the higher orders were rare in 
‘that country ; but he shot a white hare, and caught an animal of 
the genus mus with a short tail. 
The high degree of interest which Capt. Scoresby’s discove- 
ries in this quarter must excite, will, I trust, induce him to pub- 
lish his journal, which, according to his invariable laudable 
custom, 1s kept with great care. 
To you who know the enterprising genius and philosophic 
spirit of Capt. Scoresby, his success will cause much more plea- 
sure than surprise. When we see how much he has accomplished 
without any other means than that of a private individual engaged 
in an arduous and anxious occupation, we cannot help regretting 
that the government of this great commercial country has not 
seized the opportunity of employing the individual attention and 
talents of Capt. Scoresby'in prosecuting his researchés, no less 
conducive to the advancement of science, than to the glory of 
our country I am, dear Sir, yours, very faithfully, 
THomaAs STEWART TRAILL. 
