arity observed in this winter was the rare occurrence of
the Aurora Borealis, and the extraordinary poorness of its display
whenever it did make its appearance. It was almost invariably seen to
the southward, between an E.S.E. and a W.S.W. bearing, generally low,
the stationary patches of it having a tendency to form an irregular
arch, and not unfrequently with coruscations shooting towards the
zenith. When more diffused it still kept, in general, on the southern
side of the zenith; but never exhibited any of those rapid and
complicated movements observed in the course of the preceding winter,
nor, indeed, any feature that renders it necessary to attempt a
particular description. The electrometer was frequently tried, by Mr.
Fisher, at times when the state of the atmosphere appeared the most
favourable, but always without any sensible effect being produced on the
gold leaf.

The difference in the temperature of the day and night began to be
sensible as early as the first week in March, and the daily range of the
thermometer increased considerably from that time. The increase in the
average temperature of the atmosphere, however, is extremely slow in
these regions, long after the sun has attained a considerable meridian
altitude; but this is in some degree compensated by the inconceivable
rapidity with which the days seem to lengthen when once the sun has
reappeared. There is, indeed, no change which continues to excite so
much surprise as that from almost constant darkness to constant day; and
this is, of course, the more sudden and striking, in proportion to the
height of the latitude. Even in this comparatively low parallel, the
change seemed sufficiently remarkable; for, soon after the middle of
March, only ten weeks after the sun's reappearance above the horizon, a
bright twilight appeared at midnight in the northern heavens.

CHAPTER XIV.

Various Journeys to the Esquimaux Stations.--Preparations for the
Hecla's Return to England.--Remarkable Halos, &c.--Shooting Parties
stationed at Arlagnuk.--Journeys to Quilliam Creek.--Arrival of
Esquimaux from the Northward.--Account of a Journey to the Westward
for the purpose of reaching the Polar Sea.--The Esquimaux report
two Fishing-ships having been Wrecked.--A Journey performed to
Cockburn Island.--Discovery of Murray Maxwell Inlet.

About the first and second weeks in April, the Esquimaux were in the
habit of com