6 NATURAL HISTORY OF ARCTIC AMERICA. 



done, especially by Mr. Sherman in meteorology ; still, nearly all the scien- 

 tific labors were prosecuted under very discouraging conditions. The 

 lack of any place to work in save a snow-hut on shore, in which neither 

 sufficient light nor heat was to be obtained, rendered it very difficult to 

 prosecute certain investigations. The late date of sailing and the early 

 departure from the winter harbor deprived us of the most interesting 

 and profitable season for scientific research. 



The outward trip presented nothing to break the usual monotony of a 

 long sailing voyage : fogs and light winds prevailed till off the north of 

 Eesolution Island, when a strong northeast gale was encountered. The 

 schooner was heavily loaded and poorly trimmed, so that some uneasi- 

 ness for safety was naturally felt, especially as we were close inshore 

 among icebergs and rocks, in a thick fog and on an unknown coast. One 

 boat was stove in and a few barrels of provisions washed from deck ; 

 otherwise no damage was done. 



The first anchorage was in Niantilic Harbor, on the western shore of 

 Cumberland Sound, September 12, forty-one days after, leaving New 

 London. Some natives were secured here, to assist in whaling; and all 

 their worldly possessions, including dogs, sledges, boats, &c., were taken 

 upon the decks, and the schooner weighed anchor and started for the 

 opposite side of the sound. A short stay was made at the Kikkerton 

 Islands, and on the 6th of October the Florence dropped anchor in the 

 little harbor of Annanactook, at about lat. 07 K, long. 68 50' W. 



Arrangements were at once begun by Mr. Sherman and myself to erect 

 a shelter that would serve for an observatory and general working-place ; 

 an eminence on a little rocky islet in the harbor was chosen for this 

 purpose, and our tent raised. Instrument-shelters were erected, and the 

 meteorological work began in earnest. 



As soon as the snow became compact enough, we engaged the Eskimo 

 to build a snow-house for vis, in which our tent served as a lining. 



It was often difficult to get from the ship to the shore on account of 

 the ice or unusually stormy weather. 



We improved every opportunity at this late day to secure specimens ; 

 but as the ice soon formed over the sound, our endeavors were far from 

 satisfactory, especially as we were unable to procure a boat with any 

 degree of certainty, as they had to be kept in readiness for whaling. 



The winter was spent by Mr. Sherman in taking observations; and to 

 judge from the manner in which he assiduously applied himself to his 

 work, night and day, through all weathers and under the most di scour- 



