DEPTH OF PEEMANENTLT FROZEN SOIL IN THE POLAR REGIONS. 153 



(2) 1882-83. By the mean of 485 measurements made in the course 

 of a survey of the bed of Nelson river (about seven miles north of York 

 Factory), under direction of Mr. H. Jukes, C.E., for the Winnipeg and 

 Hudson's Bay R.R. Company. Thickness of ice, or penetration of frost, 

 in December, Jannary, and February, 5 feet 10 inches. 



On July 1, 1886, the soil of No. 528 was only thawed 20 inches, and in 

 another spot within the clearing, 37^ inches. On September 6 following, 

 at 140 yards north of this spot, the soil was frozen to a depth of 102 inches, 

 with 51 inches of thawed ground at the surface. And at 140 yards south 

 of the same spot to a depth of 94 inches, with 42 inches of thawed ground 

 (Nos. 602, 603). Other measurements of the thawed ground, September 4 

 and 10, gave respectively 50 and 52 inches. 



II. Examples of Excavation or Boring without finding Frozen Soil, 

 and of Superficial Thaio. 



1870, August, September. In excavating a dry dock at York no frost 

 down to 36 feet. 



1879, August 25. Nos. 8-10. 300 yards W. ; 300 yards N.W. ; 300 yards 



S. of York. In a swamp, no frost found down to 33 feet. 



1880, August 10. Nos. 11-13. 100 yards S. ; 300 yards S. ; and 100 



yards S.W. as before. No frost found down to 33 feet. 



1882, August 30 (see below, Severn river). 



„ September 10. Nos. 16-22. Six graves opened in an old Indian 

 burial-ground. Depth of alluvial soil 48 inches. No frost down 

 to 10 feet. The burial-place in question has been disused for 

 fifty years, and the results in surrounding ground which has 

 never been disturbed are the same. 



1884, July 30. Nos. 519-513. Four graves opened ; depth of alluvial 

 soil 40 inches. Thin sandy clay ; no frost down to 16 feet. 



1886, May 28. No. 518. In a garden at York, thaw 7^ to 9 inches. 



Landslips, Hayes River. 



1884, July 15. No. 509. The thawed soil was 36 inches in depth. 



1885, June 18. No. 515. The thawed soil was 29 inches in blue clay, 



37 inches iu white clay. 



1886, June 14. No. 523. The thawed soil was 28 inches. 



1883, Sept. 10. No. 508. On a much exposed portion of the bank of 



Hayes river, dry soil, there was no frost down to 16 feet. 



The following are also given as observed depth of thaw in or near York 

 Factory, that of the frost below not having been measured. 



freed from its winter's snow by the action of fierce winter gales sweeping over Hud- 

 son's Bay. So that its soil is fully exposed to the greatest degree of frost-penetration 

 possible, not only from above downwards, but from its position, laterally ; therefore, 

 having selected this, the most exposed site obtainable, 1 had a trench dug 10 feet in 

 length down to the non-fvozen subsoil. This experiment, together with subsequent 

 ones, is in my opinion conclusive, inasmuch as I consider it indicates the greatest 

 depth of frost-penetration in and around York of late years, and may certainly be 

 ranked as perpetual ice, but upon a scale so small as to be wholly comprised, as far as 

 my experience goes, within ten acres. To give an idea of quarrying in frozen ground 

 in June, I may mention that I had an Indian working hard for three days to obtain 

 the above information. 



