THE VOYAGE OF ' THE EIKA.' 365 



you; but after the first shot was fired they tumbled into the 

 water, and would go swimming about and barking round the boat, 

 but never attacked us. In September they were very numerous 

 on the loose ice round Bell Island, and also in the water round 

 Cape Flora. On October 28th five were sbot lying on the edge 

 of the ground-ice close to the house, and there were great 

 numbers in the water at that time of the year. On January 24th, 

 1882, three were shot lying on the ice-edge. When the daylight 

 returned in February Walruses were constantly seen swimming 

 about in the water. A land-floe began to form in March, and no 

 water remained within seven or eight miles of the land, but 

 frequently on looking with the glass from the hill Walruses could 

 be seen in the water. On June 13th the land-ice broke away, 

 and on the 15th five Walruses were shot. A boat that went over 

 to Bell Island reported Walruses lying in scores on the loose ice 

 round about. It is probable that they leave the country during 

 the winter, but seem to remain in the water, especially if it is 

 shallow. We never saw any signs of their taking the land and 

 lying up for the winter. 



" White Whales and Narwhals were seen in great numbers 

 in September and October travelling to the south-east, and in 

 June one or two large shoals were seen travelling west and 

 west-north-west." 



"The object of Mr. Leigh Smith's expedition," to quote the 

 words of Mr. Clements Markham ('Nature,' Aug. 31st), "was a 

 reconnaisance to accumulate evidence respecting the advantages, 

 offered by Franz Josef Land as a base of operations for future 

 exploration. He did not intend to winter; but the accident which 

 forced him to do so had the useful result of enabling him to 

 extend his observations over two seasons. The knowledge he thus 

 acquired of the movements of ice, of its character along the shores 

 and in the fiords for sledging purposes, of the prevailing winds 

 and currents, of the amount of animal life to be obtained in the 

 different months, will be very useful. This knowledge will be 

 welcomed by the geographical student, and will also be of value 

 to future explorers. The loss of the natural history collections 

 is to be regretted, but the main object of Arctic exploration is 

 geographical, and that object has been fully secured." 



