PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
567 
The current, though it unquestionably sets to the northward CHAP, 
through Beering’s Strait, in the summer, does not appear to influence 
the sea on that part of the northern coast of America which is naviga- Oct. 
ble; as Captain Franklin, after the experience of a whole summer, was 
unable to detect any current in either direction. In the sea to the 
westward of Icy Cape, the current setting through Beering’s Strait is 
turned off* by Point Hope, and does not appear to have any perceptible 
influence on the water to the north-eastward of Icy Cape ; for the cur- 
rent there, though it ran strong at times, seemed to be influenced 
entirely by the prevailing wind. The body of water which finds its way 
into the Polar Sea must undoubtedly have an outlet, and one of these 
appears to be the Strait of Hecla and F ury ; but as this current is not 
felt between the ice and the continent of America, the only part of the 
sea that is navigable, it must rather impede than favour the enterprise, 
by blocking the ice against the strait, and the western coast of Melville 
Peninsula. Upon the whole, however, I am disposed to favour the 
western route, and am of opinion that could vessels properly fitted, 
and adapted to the service, arrive in good condition in Kotzebue Sound, 
by the beginning of one sum mer, they would with care and patience 
succeed in reaching the western shore of Melville Peninsula in the 
next. 
I shall now offer a few remarks upon the inhabitants whom we met 
Upon this coast. 
The western Esquimaux appear to be intimately connected with 
the tribes inhabiting the northern and north-eastern shores of America 
in language, features, manners, and customs. They at the same time, 
in many respects, resemble the Tschutschi, from whom they are pro- 
bably descended. These affinities I shall notice as I proceed with my ' 
remarks upon the people inhabiting the north-west coast of America, 
■'vhom, for the convenience of the reader, I shall call the western Esqui- 
maux, in order to distinguish them from the tribes inhabiting Hud- 
son’s Bay, Greenland, Igloolik, and indeed from all the places east- 
ward of Point Barrow. This line ought properly to be drawn at 
Mflvenzie River, in consequence of certain peculiarities connecting 
the people seen near that spot with the tribe to the westward, but it 
