618 



HISTORY OF THE SEA. 



tine one, which led us to this bay from the top of an iceberg 

 near the mouth of the river, we could see that this bay extended 

 to the eastward and southward about fifteen miles. On arriv- 

 ing here, we found the mouth of the bay open, the water having 

 numerous seals in it, bobbing up their heads. This open water 

 making close to both headlands, and the ice of Robeson Strait 

 being on the move, debarred all chance of extending our jour- 

 ney up the strait. The mountainous land (none other being 

 about here) will not admit of our journeying further north, and 

 we commence our return to-morrow morning. To-day we are 

 storm-bound at this, our sixth encampment. We can see the 

 land extending on the west side of the strait to the north about 

 seventy miles, thus making the land we discovered as far as 

 latitude 83° 5' N. There is the appearance of land further 

 north, and extending more easterly, but a peculiarly-dark nim- 

 bus cloud prevents my making a full determination. Up to 

 the time I and my party left the ship all have been well, and 

 continue with high hopes of accomplishing our great mission. 

 We find this a much warmer country than we expected. The 

 mountains on either side of Kennedy Channel and Robeson 

 Strait were found entirely bare of snow and ice, with the ex- 

 ception of a glacier that we saw commencing in about latitude 

 80° 30' N., on the east side of the strait, and extending in an 

 easterly direction as far as can be seen from the mountains near 

 Polaris Bay. We have found that the country abounds with 

 live seals, game, geese, ducks, musk cattle, rabbits, wolves, 

 foxes, bears, partridges, lemmings, etc., etc. Our long Arctic 

 night commenced October 13th, having seen only the upper 

 limb of the sun above the glacier at meridian, October 13th. 

 This dispatch I finish at this moment, twenty-three minutes 

 past eight P. M., having written it with ink, in our snow-hut. 

 Thermometer outside, 7° ; yesterday, all day, 20°-23°." 



The illustration of the nest of the polar bear shows how 

 instinct teaches her to provide for her young. Selecting a place 



