THE NORTH-EAST PASSAGE. 51 



me, unexampled in the instances on record of winters 

 passed in these regions, not a symptom of scurvy ap- 

 peared on board the Vega during our stay. In my 

 opinion our exemption may be attributed to the fol- 

 lowing circumstances : 



1st, That we were supplied with sound, good, and, 

 for our habits, suitable food. 



2d, That we never had unbroken darkness, which 

 exercises a depressing influence on the spirits. 



3d, That we did not suffer from damp of any 

 moment on board, consequent on the Vega's thick 

 sides, and an equable heat being preserved ; and, 



4th, That we all led an industrious life. 



Spring seemed to delay her coming. On the 31st 

 of May the sun was circumpolar ; but notwithstand- 

 ing, its rays were yet without sufficient strength to 

 dissolve the masses of snow Avhich were accumulated 

 on the land. ISTot until the middle of June did the 

 snow begin noticeably to diminish day by day, and in 

 the beginning of July the ground was for the most 

 part bare. Immediately after the melting of the 

 snow the land became green, and the flowers sprang 

 up. It is wonderful how rapidly winter and summer 

 succeed one another in the Arctic regions. No 



lowing manner: No. 1, Sundays; No. 2, Mondays, Wednes- 

 days, and Fridays ; No. 3, Thursdays ; No. 4, Tuesdays ; No. 

 5, Saturdays. 



No. 3. Besides those already mentioned, we had several 

 extra articles of provision viz., pickles, preserved milk, mul- 

 berry-jam, &c. 



