In the Arctic Re <j ions. 459 



released rested solely on a strong wind, we n 

 ceased to long for its occurrence. A breeze would 

 have been, at any rate, beneficial in driving away the 

 musquitoes, which were so numerous as to prevenl 

 any enjoyment of the oj^enair, and to keep us confined 

 to a tent filled with smoke, the only remedy against 

 their annoyance, 



T 25th? y ^ ''■' m >re s t'i\\ detained the two following 

 days, and the only things we saw were a grey wolf, 

 some Beak, and some ducks. More tedious hours than 

 those passed by us in the present situation, cannot 

 well he imagined. After the astronomical observa- 

 tions had been obtained and worked, the survey 

 brought up, a sketch made of the encampment, and 

 specimens of the plants and stones in the vicinity col- 

 lected, there was, literally, nothing to do. The anx- 

 iety which was inseparable from such an enterprise as 

 ours, at such an advanced period of the season, left 

 but little disposition to read, even if there had been a 

 greater choice of books in our traveling library, and 

 still less composure to invent amusement Even had 

 the musquitoes been less tormenting, the swampiness 

 of the ground, in which we sank ancle deep at every 

 step, deprived us of the pleasure of walking. A visit 

 to the Bocky Mountains was often talked of, but they 

 were now at a distance of two days' journey, and we 

 dared not to be absent from the boats so long, lest 



