In the Arctic Regions. 459 
released rested solely on a strong wind, we never 
ceased to long for its occurrence. <A breeze would 
have been, at avy rate, beneficial in driving away the 
musquitoes, which were so numerous as to prevent 
any enjoyment of the open air, and to keep us confined 
to a tent filled with smoke, the only remedy against 
their annoyance, 
Tuesday We were still detained the two following 
days, and the only things we saw were a grey wolf, 
some seals, and some ducks. More tedious hours than 
those passed by us in the present situation, cannot 
well be imagined. After the astronomical observa- 
tions had been obtained and worked, the survey 
brought up, a sketch made of the encampment, and 
specimens of the plants and stones in the vicinity col- 
lected, there was, literally, nothing todo. The anx- 
iety which was inseparable from such an enterprise as 
ours, at such an advanced period of the season, left 
but little disposition to read, even if there had been a 
greater choice of books in our traveling library, and 
still less composure to invent amusement. Even had 
the musquitoes been less tormenting, the swampiness 
of the ground, in which we sank ancle deep at every. 
step, deprived us of the pleasure of walking. A visit 
to the Rocky Mountains was often talked of, but they 
were now at a distance of two days’ journey, and we 
dared not to be absent from the boats so long, lest 
