SURVEY OF LABRADOR. 



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CHAPTER I. 



Survey of Labrador — Elementary Physics — Physical Geography. 



The most complete, in fact the only real, survey of Labrador ever 

 made, was in 1832 and 1834, by Capt. H. W. Bayfield, R. N., F, 

 A. S. He was assisted by other parties, though perhaps none of 

 them were so thorough as was that of Capt. Bayfield — at least he 

 is quoted as authority to this day — and I found that our vessel, by 

 following the directions of his admirable chart, entered and left 

 many an opening of but sufficient size to admit the passage of our 

 vessel, with perfect safety ; showing that the soundings were for the 

 most part taken correctly, and that comparative quiet had remained 

 in regard to subsidence of waters or elevation of land during the lapse 

 of a period of nearly forty years. Though the change of level of the 

 water itself, or the variation in depth, would have been but slight in 

 so short a time, yet the fact that so many of the soundings remained 

 unchanged gave us additional proof against the rising or sinking of 

 the land at that place. Comparing Capt. Bayfield's chart, therefore, 

 with our OAvn soundings, we obtained very favorable and often im- 

 portant results. Previous to a short account of some of the 

 physical phenomena of this region, let us rehearse a few of the 

 elementary principles of physical geography necessary for their 

 clear understanding. 



For the purposes of science and convenience, the earth is trav- 

 ersed by imaginary lines running in all directions about and around 

 it. The equator is a great circle passing around the earth from 



