ARCTIC VOYAGES. 
47 
The meridian of the Magnetic and Cold Pole of America (95° W.) 
appears to he also the meridian of the minimum supply of animal food, 
not only in North Somerset, hut farther north; as it appears from Sir Ed¬ 
ward Belcher’s account that the northern division, under his command, 
only secured twelve hares and twelve ptarmigan during their two win¬ 
ters’ sojourn in Wellington and Queen’s Channels, while the Besolute, 
at Dealy Island, obtained—- 
“ From 3rd September, 1852, to 9>tJi September, 1853. 
Musk Oxen, 
Reindeer, . 
Hares, . . 
Bears, . . 
Wolves, 
Foxes, . . 
Ptarmigan, 
Geese, . . 
Ducks, . . 
Plover, . . 
114. 
95. 
146. 
6 . 
3. 
51. 
711. 
128. 
229. 
16. 
Average weight, . 
>> 
. 166 lbs. 
. 60 „ 
• 8 „ 
Average weight, ... 1 lb. 
On this subject Sir Edward Belcher, as we conceive, very justly 
observes:— 
“ But, notwithstanding our western parties passed over land where game abounded, 
their travelling duties and want of fuel to cook the meat procured, debarred them from 
the enjoyment of many fresh meals. To persons reduced to necessity there is every 
reason to believe that the means of sustaining a miserable existence might be found on 
the coasts of Cornwallis and Melville Islands; but it is fearful to contemplate the result, 
for most assuredly scurvy, in its most virulent form, would soon deprive them of the 
power to travel to a position where effectual aid might be available! But, granting that 
some more vigorous individuals might have been able to push forward, in the hope of send¬ 
ing back assistance, if encountered, we who have travelled and calculated the powers with 
sound men and good sledges, know full well that power to drag the carcases killed would 
not avail them beyond short distances, and that the first journey would probably carry 
them beyond the grounds where game resort! It has been imagined, because game has 
been found in particular spots, that it must prevail throughout those regions, and more¬ 
over, that on our particular ground it would yet (sic) be more abundant. The fallacy 
of such arguments is, I trust, now determined.” 
¥e cannot conclude without a reference to a speculation respecting 
the Erebus and Terror, published by Mr. Findlay in the “Journal of 
the Geographical Society,” 1856. He considers the statement of the 
Esquimaux at Pond’s Bay worthy of credence, and thinks the missing 
ships lay in the old pack ice at the southern bottom of Melville or Parry 
Sound from the summer of 1846 to that of 1850, at which period a 
party with a boat perished at Montreal Island, in the Back river. Mr. 
Eindlay imagines the Erebus and Terror to have passed unobserved 
down Barrow Strait after Sir James Boss’s departure and before the 
arrival of the Austin squadron, and identifies them with the two ships 
seen April 20, 1851, entangled in the ice, off the Newfoundland banks. 
At the same time Mr. Eindlay admits that it is possible that Melville 
Sound may contain some hitherto unknown land, which was the scene 
of the wintering from 1846 to 1850. If this be so, in all probability 
