TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 181 



for any large supply, though it is possible they may have been visited by a few of 

 the lost party. 



" Remarks have been made about the Franklin Expedition suffering from Goldner's 

 provisions. But, independent of all other argument on this point, there is one fact to 

 be got over, before we can agree to such an idea ; — the ships wintered at the threshold 

 of their explorations, yet afterwards went onward into unknown regions instead of 

 returning, as wisdom would have dictated, on finding their stores defective! 



"Another fact to be well considered is, that close attention to all the information 

 obtained from the natives, leads to a belief that the actual ground where the whole 

 truth could be known has not yet been examined. The natives told Captain M'Clin- 

 tock that the white people had gone to a place where there was plenty of salmon. 

 Now we know the lakes of South Boothia abound in salmon. 



" Again, the Esquimaux referred to parts known by certain names ; as, for instance, 

 Amitoke, Neitchillee, and Akkollee. These parts, however, were not visited by our 

 late explorers, perhaps from not knowing where they were. But a careful reading 

 of the various Arctic Voyages of Parry, Ross, Simpson, and Back, would have 

 shown that the places named, all exist about the Boothian Isthmus southward ; and 

 it is there, and in adjoining localities, we find all the plate and other articles in pos- 

 session of the natives. 



" More argument could be brought forward ; but it is enough to call attention to 

 one other important fact, viz. that Ross and his small crew, after being frozen in 

 for three years, managed to escape from a position almost identical with that of 

 Franklin's ships, and then get home by way of Lancaster Sound. 



"That we have no traces of the Franklin crews attempting the same thing is very 

 singular. We must therefore infer either that they were not in absolute distress, 

 or else that one party did visit Fury Beach without being able to leave a notice. Be 

 it as it may, assuredly the Expedition would never have abandoned their journals 

 and other documents, without first placing them in some sort of security. When 

 Ross escaped he carried even minerals with him ! These with other things he had to 

 abandon ; but he deposited them in a secure place, and they were afterwards brought 

 home to England in a whaling ship sent expressly to the locality for them. Can we 

 suppose that the officers and crew of a national expedition like Franklin's — and withal 

 a scientific one — would not take equal care to preserve the records of their labours? 

 The question needs no answer. There can be little doubt about it in the minds of all 

 impartial persons ; and it only requires a good summer search to know the truth." 



Captain Snow then brought forward evidence to show that life could be prolonged 

 in the arctic regions, and that the place was not so destitute as generally supposed. 

 Sir R. Murchison himself had given good reasons in support of this "view ; and 

 Lord Wrottesley, Baron von Humboldt, Sir Francis Beaufort and others had ex- 

 pressed something similar. The burial of the dead, too, was another thing not to be 

 forgotten. Three sailors were buried suitably on shore, therefore it is almost certain 

 Sir John Franklin would have been interred in like manner; and as the Esquimaux 

 are very superstitious concerning the dead, it is possible important records can be 

 found near the locality where the illustrious chief is known to have died. 



Other arguments were brought forward by Captain Snow, who stated that he had 

 a committee formed of well-known names to aid him in a renewed search he was 

 prepared to make in a small vessel of from 75 to 100 tons if sufficient means could 

 be raised. A brave American (Mr. Hall) was already on his way there to try and do 

 the work ; and it was for our credit and honour that another attempt should be made 

 hy our own flag to complete that which comparatively could now be easily done. 



On the Proposed Communication between the Atlantic and Pacific, via 

 British North America. By Captain M. H. Synge, R.E. 



On the Geographical Distribution of Plants in Asia Minor. 

 By Pierre de Tchihatchef. 



On the Excavations on the Site of the Roman City of Uriconium at Wroxeter. 

 By Thomas Wright, F.S.A. 



