130 Journey to the Frozen- Sea, and 



from the tip of the nose to the coccyx*, without, how- 

 ever, comprehending the two horns, each of which is a 

 toise and a half long, and both together weigh 10 

 poudsf. The head alone weighs eleven pouds and a 

 half. 



The principal object of my care was to separate the 

 bones, to arrange them and place them in safety : this 

 was done with the most scrupulous nicety, and I had 

 the satisfaction of finding the other shoulder-blade, 

 which lay in a hole. I afterwards caused the skin to be 

 stripped from the side upon which the animal had lain ; 

 it was very well preserved. This skin was of such an 

 extraordinary weight, that ten persons, who were em- 

 ployed to carry it to the sea-side, in order to stretch it 

 on floating wood, moved it with great difficulty. After 

 this operation I caused the ground to be dug in various 

 places, in order to see if there were any bones around, 

 but chiefly for the purpose of collecting all the bristles 

 which the white bears might have trodden into the wet 

 ground on devouring the flesh. This operation was at- 

 tended with difficulty, as we wanted the necessary in- 

 struments for digging the ground ; I succeeded, how- 

 ever, in procuring in this manner more than one poud 

 weight of bristles. In a few days our labour was ended, 

 and I found myself in possession of a treasure, which 

 amply recompensed me for the fatigues and dangers of 

 the journey, and even for the expences I had incurred. 



* An archinc is a little more than two feet English measure. 

 t A poud is 40 pounds. 



