OF THE POLAR SEA, 



51 



it hung nearly perpendicular. The Aurora Borealis was faintly 

 visible for a short time last evening. Some Indians arrived in search 

 of provision, having been totally incapacitated from hunting by sick- 

 ness ; the poor creatures looked miserably ill, and they represented 

 their distress to have been extreme. Few recitals are more affecting 

 than those of their sufferings during unfavourable seasons, and in bad 

 situations for hunting and fishing. Many assurances have been given 

 me that men and women are yet living who have been reduced to 

 feed upon the bodies of their own family, to prevent actual starva- 

 tion ; and a shocking case was cited to us of a woman who had been 

 principal agent in the destruction of several persons, and amongst 

 the number her husband and nearest relatives, in order to support 

 life. 



November 28. — The atmosphere had been clear every day during 

 the last week, about the end of which snow fell, when the thermo- 

 meter rose from 20° below to 16° above zero. The Aurora Borealis 

 was twice visible, but faint on both occasions. Its appearance did 

 not affect the electrometer, nor could we perceive the compass to be 

 disturbed. 



The men brought supplies of moose meat from the hunter's tent, 

 which is pitched near the Basquiau Hill, at the distance of forty or 

 fifty miles from the house, and from whence the greatest part of the 

 meat is procured. The residents have to send nearly the same dis- 

 tance for their fish, and on this service horse-sledges are used. Nets 

 are daily set in Pine Island Lake which occasionally procure some 

 fine sturgeon, tittameg and trout, but not more than sufficient to 

 supply the officers' table. 



December 1. — This day was so remarkably fine, that we procured 

 another set of observations for the dip of the needle in the open 

 air ; the instrument being placed firmly on a rock, the results gave 

 83° 14' 22". The change produced by reversing the face of the in- 

 strument was 12° 50' 55". 



H 2 



