Polar Explorations. 14i5 



expedition which wintered there in 1819. It differs from 

 Spitzbergen in its extensive snow clad plains, with a few hills 

 of moderate altitude ; and although the west and south 

 coasts are bold and precipitous, there is not a mountain on 

 the island. Its north coast is entirely barren, and for many 

 leagues no living animal was seen. On the south shores, a 

 few Musk oxen, and Rein deer were seen and the sunny sides 

 of the ravines, and sheltered vallies were covered with sorrel 

 and mosses, and other arctic productions. 



They found no Esquimaux, but some ruinous traces of huts 

 were passed, which seemed to have been long forsaken. 



It is extremely interesting to observe the gradation of char- 

 acter in the savages, as they recede from the borders of the 

 Arctic Ocean. 



The Esquimaux who inhabit the north coast of America, 

 Greenland and the islands between Bhering's strait and the 

 Atlantic — the Lappes — the Samoieds, and the aboriginal 

 Kamschatdales on the European and Asiatic coasts, abating 

 some slight variations, might almost be taken for members 

 of a family, so striking is their resemblance. Their moral 

 elevation is but little above that of the wolves and foxes 

 with whom they divide the scanty spoils of those frozen soli- 

 tudes. Like them they are engaged in taking their prey, or 

 dozing in their dens. 



They are stupid, and gluttonous, and commonly inoffen- 

 sive. Their harmlessness arises partly from apathy, and part- 

 ly from a narrow intellect, whose circuit of exercise is limited 

 to the few modes which they have for procuring subsistence, 

 and defending themselves from the cold. The only touch of 

 humane feeling which they appear to possess, is a strong at- 

 tachment to their children, and the only social virtue, hospi- 

 tality. Capt. Parry observes that they never appeared so much 

 gratified as when they were permitted to entertain himself, or 

 any of his people at their huts; but they were insensible to 

 gratitude, however great the favor conferred. A little in- 

 tercourse, with the ship's company, elicited traits of cunning, 

 which showed itself in petty thefts, and a whining, dolorous 

 kind of complaint, designed to excite compassion, and thus to 

 extract further gifts from their benefactors. A considerable 

 number winter in Hudson's Bay, living in snow huts, and feed- 

 ing upon seals and walruses taken through the ice. The few 

 who pass the summer at Melville island, forsake it with the deer 

 and other animals in October. They remain in one place until 



Vol. XVI.— No. ]. 19 



