OF THE POLAR SEA. 



255 



seen them. Each of the party sedulously 

 and separately recorded their observations 

 on the aurora ; and Dr. Richardson contrived 

 to obtain, from under the snow, specimens 

 of most of the lichens in the neighbour- 

 hood, and to make himself acquainted with 

 the mineralogy of the surrounding country. 



The Sabbath was always a day of rest 

 with us ; the woodmen were required to 

 provide for the exigencies of that day on 

 Saturday, and the party were dressed in 

 their best attire. Divine service was regu- 

 larly performed, and the Canadians at- 

 tended, and behaved with great decorum, 

 although they were all Roman Catholics, 

 and but little acquainted with the language 

 in which the prayers were read. I re- 

 gretted much that we had not a French 

 Prayer-Book, but the Lord's Prayer and 

 Creed were always read to them in their 

 own language. 



Our diet consisted almost entirely of 

 rein-deer meat, varied twice a week by fish, 

 and occasionally by a little flour, but w T e 

 had no vegetables of any description. On 



