Mr. SteinhauEr's Geology of the Coast of Labrador. 4S9 



others, Okkak and Hopedak^ in lat. 58° 43', and 55° 36'. Hence 

 they have made several excursions, and last year doubled Cape 

 Chudleighy in lat. GO'' 20', and descended on the opposite or western 

 side of the promontory as far as lat. 58° 2>& . 



The missionaries, assiduously occupied with the great aim for 

 'which they are sent, may be supposed to have but little time for 

 objects of mere science ; they have however not been neglectful of 

 the opportunities their stations afforded, but have improved them as 

 far as their abilities allowed. They have kept meteorological tables 

 of the barometrical and thermometrical variations,* a tolerably com- 

 plete flora has been collected ; they have from time to time sent 

 specimens of the minerals of the country ; and their diaries and 

 verbal accounts furnish some idea at least of the principal mountains 

 on the coast. It is to be regretted that their observations are of such 

 a nature as to throw little light on the geology of the country ; even 

 the specimens sent have not always their habitats affixed, or get con- 

 founded on board of the vessel. The general aspect of the country is 

 else such as to promise interesting results, and the examination of the 

 different strata is not liable to those obstructions from the enve- 

 loping mantle of vegetation and alluvial mould which so often 

 bafifle all research in our countries. According to the descriptions 

 of those who have had an opportunity of contemplating this in- 

 hospitable region, it consists almost entirely of barren rock, towering 

 in craggy eminences, on which even the hardy lichen in vain en- 

 deavours to fix a habitation ; for moisture enters the rock with its 

 fibres ; the intense cold of winter congeals that moisture, and the 

 summer's thaw precipitates the loosened fragment with its tenant to 



• In Nain tlie extremities of cold and heat in the year Nov. 1, 177'2, to Not. ], 177.'t, 

 were — Jan. 16, Sh. A.M. 42 under Farenheit's O, and Auk. 2, 2 h. P.IM. 80'. From 

 Jan. 11 to Jan. 27, the thermometer was never above P'arcnlicit's O. 



Vol, II. 3 (^ 



