SHORES OF THE POLAR SEA. 



213 



tion in her affliction by silence, and a strong 

 expression of pity in their countenances. 

 At dawn of day the poor creature, though 

 almost exhausted by her ceaseless lamenta- 

 tion, carried the body across the lake for 

 interment." 



It has often been remarked with what 

 exactness the migratory animals observe the 

 periods of their arrival and departure. In 

 the northern regions of America, they serve 

 as infallible guides to point out the change 

 of season to the untutored Indians. Thus 

 the appearance of swans, and the departure 

 of geese, are the certain signs, the one of 

 the approach of spring, the other of winter. 

 Dr. Richardson has kept a curious " re- 

 gister of phenomena connected with the 

 progress of the seasons at Fort Franklin." 

 From this it appears, that on the 11th of 

 September the muskitoes cease to be trou- 

 blesome ; on the 2d of October the first ice 

 was observed, and on the 5th, the last swan 

 passed to the southward ; on the 7th, the 

 last rain fell — on the 11th the last brown 

 duck was noticed. On the 6th of May, 



