10 Sketch of the Geology of the Arctic Regions. 
The resemblance of the loose blocks to those on which they rest, sug- 
gests the belief, that they are the more durable remains of the covering 
stratum, which has been destroyed by the long continued action of 
the atmosphere. Extensive alluvial formations occurred on the line 
of the first journey made by Capt. Franklin, such as lakes filled up 
by deposits from rivers, and the gradual waste of mountains, washed 
down by torrents, besides alluvial peninsulas formed by the action of 
the sea. 
Til. Mexvitie Isuanp, Port Bowen, anv THE COASTs OF PRINCE 
EGENT’s INLET. 
Winter Harbor, on Melville Island, is the most western point ever 
navigated in the polar sea from the eastern entrance. It is in N. lat. 
74° 26’ and W. long. 113° 46’. The length of Melville Island is 
one hundred and thirty five miles from E. N. E. to S. S. W.: breadth 
forty or fifty miles. Sandstone in columnar precipices, and in some 
instances ranges of sandstone in their horizontal strata, were the only 
raineral substances noticed in Melville Island. 
Port Bowen and the coasts of Prince Regent’s Inlet. 
Secondary limestone forms both sides of Prince Regent’s Inlet. 
{ts colors are ash grey and yellowish grey, more or less inclining to 
ochre yellow and yellowish brown. The external appearances inti- 
mate its magnesian character. It is every where distinctly stratified, 
and the strata are horizontal. Imbedded in them are found masses 
of chert and various organic remains. On the hills, and on the sur- 
face of a brick red limestone, were found masses of fibrous brown 
iron ore, also coal of a brown color. 
Gypsum. 
On the west side of Prince Regent’s Inlet, deep beds of gypsum 
extend thirty miles through the country, associated with a limestone 
which, when near the gypsum, abounds in organic remains. All the 
varieties of this gypsum are of a snow white, and of these the granu- 
lar foliated, the fibrous, and selenite were met with, but not the com- 
act. ‘The universal horizontality of its strata, its magnesian char- 
acter, its brown hematite, and its fossil organic remains, indicate that 
it belongs to the first secondary limestone.* 
* Jameson’s notes on the geology of Port Bowen. 
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