42 
PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. 
sented such a truly appalling spectacle. It is almost impossible to conceive a more 
terrific sight than that which was presented to us in the dying moment of this 
matchless monarch of these northern wilds. A mile or two farther on we saw four 
milch cows, and a very small calf. 
30th May—There is more vegetation about Point Wilkie than we have yet seen 
on this side of the straits; saw a few ptarmigan. 
1st June—Along the base of the Dark Cliff hills found moss and some grass; also 
abundant traces of oxen and deer; nothing seen, except two ptarmigan, which I shot, 
and a snow-bunting, whose cheerful song enlivened the dreary aspect of this frozen soil. 
6th June—I walked for three or four miles, over to the hills, round the last bay ; 
saw tracks of the fox, and a few deer; also burrows of lemmings; saw an ox in 
the distance, which allowed me to approach within 50 yards of him; he stood 
quietly, rubbing the tips of his massive horns against his fore legs; while I was ex¬ 
amining my gun I heard his gallop, and saw him coming on ; fired both barrels just 
in time to stop him when 10 or 15 yards off; having reloaded I fired again, and 
despatched him. It is wonderful how so large an animal could support life in such 
an extremely barren country. 
13th June—At the extreme of the main land saw two ivory gulls; saw land, 
evidently an island; no traces of animals, nor any vegetation, except minute 
lichens on the stones. 
14th June—None of these islands that we met with more than 60 feet high, and 
are entirely composed of gravel; on the beach were many bivalve and a few spiral 
shells; the colour and hinges of the former were still perfect; saw two nests of the 
ivory gull of a former season; they were chiefly made of moss, and there was 
much more of it used in their construction than I have seen growing upon the 
whole of these islands. The broken pieces of egg-shell that lay about were pale 
olive, with irregular dark brown blotches; small fish bones, and bones of lemmings 
were strewed about. 
* 16th June—Saw two other small islands; we found here small pieces of gray 
gneiss, and on a little patch of earth I found the jaw bone of a seal, and a few very 
small pieces of much decayed wood. 
19th June—On landing on one of these islands I was much surprised to find 
mud and clay, and still more so, on finding a good deal of moss, with some grass; 
saw six brent geese, the first of the season. This island appeared to be a favourite 
haunt of theirs ; found some bones of a deer, and traces of the fox and lemming; 
several small spiders were crawling about, of a black colour. 
20th June—Saw one glaucous and two ivory gulls. 
21st June—Landed, and saw an ivory gull seated upon her nest, in a bare patch 
of gravel, near the earth ; there was but one egg in it; the nest was exactly the 
same as those examined a few days ago ; but in addition to the moss there was a 
little white down, and a few feathers in it; this nest had served for former years, as 
there were bleached bones of lemmings strewed about it. There were also fresh 
pellets, consisting of their bones and hair, proving that those little animals are 
preyed upon by these gulls ; and until I had learned this fact in their natural his¬ 
tory, was quite puzzled as to what they could subsist on at this season. Saxifraga 
oppositifolia grows here. We have not seen it to the northward. Four ivory 
gulls and a snow-bunting seen. A flock of geese were seen passing to the eastward. 
22nd June—Caught a lemming ; its brown summer coat was perfect. 
24th June—Saw three king ducks, two long-tailed ducks, and two brent geese, 
flying to the north-west. 
25th June—Great numbers of lemmings were seen ; the men used to amuse 
themselves catching them. 
On the 27th of June we reached Emerald Island (m'rfe map), and encamped near 
the shore ; and after a short rest proceeded back to our vessel.*' J • 
It was then moved by Rev. J. Carmichael, seconded by A. H. Haliday. Esq., 
and carried— u That the thanks of the Dublin University Zoological Association be 
given to Captain M‘Clintock for his very interesting communication.” 
* The continuation of these extracts will appear in the July number of the Natural 
History Review. 
