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 30 Our North Land. 



referred to by members of the committee, such as the supposed 

 channel between Bay of Hope's Advance and Mosquito Bay. A 

 track-survey might be made of both sides of Hudson Strait ; the 

 astronomical positions of the more prominent headlands, which 

 might have reference to the navigation of the Bay, might be obtained; 

 the positions of the more important groups of islands should be 

 determined ; soundings might be taken everywhere ; the rise and 

 fall of the tide, and the time of high water at full and change, should 

 be ascertained, all of which would benefit navigation very much. 

 The positions and nature of harbours of refuge should also be 

 determined, and the most desirable points at which to place beacons 

 or lighthouses. So much for geographical data. Then, as to the 

 question of the fisheries : it is extremely important to ascertain 

 whether or not cod and other valuable food fishes exist. Meteoro- 

 logical observations of all sorts and magnetic observations might be 

 taken, which would be of very great interest indeed. The magnetic 

 pole lies at no very great distance northward of Hudson's Bay, and 

 observations in regard to the dip and variation of the compass and 

 other magnetic phenomena would be both valuable and useful. 

 Observations in regard to the aurora borealis, which is a conspicu- 

 ous phenomenon in this region, might also prove highly interesting. 

 But, to my way of thinking, the geological part would be one of the 

 most important. A vessel cruising around Hudson's Bay would 

 afford such splendid opportunities of visiting widely-separated 

 localities, as well as the islands otherwise inaccessible, that we might 

 accomplish as much in one year as would be possible in many years 

 in our usual way. Many of the problems in regard to the rock 

 formations and the economic minerals of this extensive region could 

 thus be easily solved. It would also give us an opportunity of 

 bringing home large geological and mineralogical collections, which 

 would be impossible where specimens have to be carried on men's 

 backs or in canoes ; but if we had a ship alongside we could transfer 

 them to it at once. I do not think that an hour would pass that 

 something could not be recorded which would afterwards turn out 

 to be valuable. It appears to be a perfect mine of' information, 

 waiting to be explored." 



