234 THEOUGH THE MACKENZIE BASIN 



resources of many tracts of vast extent and importance, now vir- 

 tually despised, which may yet prove of great worth to the 

 Dominion. 



Geeenland Whale — ^Aectic Eight Whale- — Balcena 

 mysticetus Linnseus. 



It was probably an individual of tbis large and widely 

 distributed species whieb Sir Alexander Mackenzie observed 

 wben be discovered tbe great Mackenzie Eiver in 1789. On 

 tbat occasion be landed on an island at its moutb, wbicb be 

 named " Wbale Island." Altbougb old and recent traces of 

 tbem were many, yet be did not meet witb any Eskimos. Tbe 

 Eskimos wbo frequented Fort Anderson succeeded most 

 seasons in killing one large wbale, but seldom as many as 

 two. Plenty reigned for many montbs as a result. Quite 

 a large number of bunters were necessary for tbe successful 

 pursuit of a wbale. Tbe implements formerly used were 

 an ivory barb, witb an iron or flint point, attached to a 

 strong walrus line baving an inflated bladder at tbe otber 

 end. A long baft of wood was used to propel tbe barb, wbicb 

 detacbed itself wben tbe object was bit. This course was 

 followed until as many as a dozen or more floats were dragged 

 by tbe wbale; be soon became exhausted by tbe persistent 

 attack of his enemies, and wben tbat happened they ap- 

 proached and by repeated thrusts lanced him to death. Tbe 

 fresh blubber resembles pork in colour and taste. Our ser- 

 vants preferred to eat it raw with their dry venison. Wben 

 fried, it was very rich and oily. Needless to state tbat the 

 Eskimos of the Arctic region are exceedingly fond of fat 

 and oil, and tbat during tbe long winter season they consume 

 far more of these necessary and cold-protecting foods than 

 any other race on earth. On June 25, 1862, the tenth 

 anniversary of bis departure from Stomoway, Lewis, Scot- 

 land, tbe writer bad bis first near view of the ice-covered polar 

 sea and of the bay named by Sir John Eichardson, in 1826, 

 after England's celebrated but hapless explorer. Admiral Sir 



