78 Arctic Natural History. 



ice. In Davis Strait the infusoria are generally found most 

 abundant where there is ice never extending above a few inches, 

 at most a foot, beneath the water ; and when the ice disappears 

 for the season, the brown slimy substance is rolled into rounded 

 pellicles by the rippling of the water, retires from the surface, 

 and ultimately sinks completely out of view, having never 

 tinged the water in the slightest degree, except when it gave 

 the decaying ice a dirty appearance. It is a well known fact, 

 however, that Entomostraca, Acalephai, and Pteropodous 

 mollusca, in great abundance and of various sizes, from 3V 

 to jV of an inch in diameter up to half a foot or more, cannot 

 fail to change the colour of the sea in a remarkable manner. 

 — (Sutherland's Journal.) 



9. On the Flesh of little Auks or Eotges and Sea-Fowl 

 generally. 



Immense flocks of rotges were continually seen flying 

 north or south according to the direction of the wind. They 

 generally fly against the wind where they are sure to find 

 open water. Their flight is invariably high over a tract of 

 ice presenting no lanes or pools of water to receive them. In 

 consequence of the closeness of the ice around the ships our 

 sport among them was not very extensive. Captain Stewart, 

 on one occasion, travelled a few miles to a large angular open- 

 ing where they were very abundant, and succeeded in shoot- 

 ing a great number. He brought down twenty to thirty 

 at every shot. The rotge is excellent eating and is highly 

 prized by every taste. I have heard the eider duck and the 

 long-tailed duck, and even the loon, denounced by persons 

 whose tastes were really fastidious, but I never heard a word 

 against the little auk. Its flesh, and that of sea-fowl gene- 

 rally in the Arctic Regions, improves very much by keeping 

 for a few weeks after being shot ; indeed it is not uncommon 

 to use them after they have been three months hanging to the 

 booms around the ship's quarter. — {Sutherland's Journal.) 



