In the Arctic Regions. 251 
a west course ; and fearing that by pursuing it further 
we might loose much time, and unnecessarily walk 
over a great deal of ground, I determined on quitting 
its banks the next day, and making as directly as we 
could for Point Lake. We accordingly followed the 
river on the 3d, only to the place where the musk-ox 
had been killed last evening, and after the meat was 
procured, crossed the river in our two canoes lashed 
together. We now emerged from the valley of the 
river, and entered a level, but very barren country, 
varied only by small lakes and marshes, the ground 
being covered with small stones. Many old tracks of 
rein-deer were seen in the clayey soil, and some more 
recent ones of the musk-ox. We encamped on the 
borders of Wright’s River, which flows to the eastward ; 
the direct distance walked to-day being ten miles and 
three-quarters. The next morning was very fine, and 
as the day advanced, the weather became quite warm. 
We set out at six A.M., and having forded the river, 
walked over a perfectly level country, interspersed with 
small lakes, which communicated with each other, by 
streams running in various directions: No berry-bear- 
ing plants were found in this part, the surface of the 
earth being thinly covered in the moister places with 
a few grasses, and on the drier spots with lichens, 
Having walked twelve miles and a half, we encamp~ 
ed at seven P.M., and distributed our last piece of 
