468 Scientific Intelligence. [Dec. 



VI. Aixtic Expedition. 



About the beginning of November intelligence was received 

 that this long looked-for expedition was on its way towards this 

 country, where it has since arrived in safety. The expedition 

 consisted of the Hecla and Griper, Messrs. Parry and Liddon, 

 Commanders ; and the following is a summary of the most 

 important particulars, which have yet transpired, respecting its 

 operations and discoveries : 



In the beginning of Aug. 1819, the expedition reached Lancas- 

 ter's Sound, and having entered this, proceeded directly to the 

 westward between the parallels of74° and 75° N. lat. and atlength 

 penetrated in that direction as far as long. 1124-° ^ • from Green- 

 wich. In this space 12 islands were discovered, which were 

 named the islands of New Georgia. The winter setting in 

 about the middle of September, they repaired to a harbour on 

 the south side of the largest of the above-mentioned islands 

 (named Melville Island) situated in lat. 74° 47' N. and long. 

 110° 47' W. where they passed the winter. When tl>e ice 

 broke up at the beginning of August of the present year, they 

 left the above harbour, and proceeded to the westward, the ships 

 being at this time in perfect condition, the officers and men in 

 excellent health, and with every prospect of the final accom- 

 plishment of their purpose. At the south-west end, however, 

 of Melville Island, the quantity and magnitude of the ice 

 increased to such a degree that after 16 days (being one-third 

 of the whole time of summer in these regions), it was found 

 impracticable to get beyond long. 113° 47' W. They then ran 

 along the edge of the icy barrier to the southward, but covdd 

 find no opening. Being thus foiled in their attempts to proceed 

 further, and their provisions being nearly exhausted, they found 

 themselves under the necessity of returning. 



The greatest degree of cold experienced was in January, when 

 it reached 52°, or, according to other accounts, 554-° below the 

 zero of Fahrenheit's scale. The mean temperature for 12 

 months was found to be about 14° or 2° below zero. The dark- 

 ness, which lasted from the beginning of November till the 

 beginning of February, is said to have been so great in the 

 middle of winter that at noon the largest type was not legible. 



The scientific gentlemen connected with the expedition have 

 made a great number of interesting and important observations 

 on magnetism. They have also collected a few objects in 

 most of the departments of natural history, particularly ornitho- 

 logy. It is to be regretted, however, that the red snoiv which 

 attracted so much notice on the former occasion could not be 

 now found (at least in the state in which it was said to have then 

 existed), and consequently that the question respecting its 

 origin and nature could not be set at rest. 



