100 



SECOND VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 



182 i. " In some of the excursions I made to the hills which bound the inlet, 

 I found them without exception to be composed of granite and gneiss, 

 presenting rugged, irregular outlines, and entirely void of vegetation on 

 their tops ; yet even here we found evident proofs of the Esquimaux having 

 made their temporary residence, as we frequently observed piles of stones 

 erected by these extraordinary people, and also the circular little walls 

 which form the lower part of their habitations. In situations nearer the 

 sea these indications were so frequent that it became a matter of surprise 

 if we did not find some vestiges of their little settlements on the lower 

 points. One in particular which we discovered at a short distance from our 

 first anchorage bore evident marks of its having been very recently occu- 

 pied, and many were of opinion that the natives had quitted it on our ap- 

 proach. The circles amounted to eleven ; on many of their fire-places the 

 soot was quite recent, and quantities of bones of seals, foxes, and other ani- 

 mals were scattered round ; some had small portions of flesh still adhering to 

 them. We were much astonished on finding at least a dozen pair of mittens 

 and socks, some of which were nearly new. A few of the huts had a little 

 elevation at either end, and neatly spread with small branches of what 

 appeared to me a kind of birch, (although we had seen none growing,) tied 

 together in bunches, and from their arrangement to all appearance intended 

 as the base of beds. We also found a curious kind of net, having large open 

 meshes of about two inches diameter, and entirely composed of small and 

 strong hoops or rings of whalebone, firmly lashed together with thongs of 

 the same material. This net would appear to be of the same kind as that 

 described by Davis as found by him amongst the natives of Greenland. A 

 few broken spear-heads and implements of ivory were also picked up, and 

 I am of opinion that the removal of the people must have been very 

 hurried. 



" From the remarkable form of the coast it is not surprising that the 

 Esquimaux should make choice of it for their occasional settlements, and 

 they have a most important inducement in finding such profusion of their 

 necessary food, for the seals are here in great numbers and appear ex- 

 tremely bold and fearless, which must render them an easy prey to these 

 expert fishermen. In a short excursion which some of our gentlemen made 

 in the small boat, they were so fortunate as to obtain four in a short time ; 

 two were very large and fat and the others quite young. 



" The great quantities of seals which we constantly saw in this place are 



