ps across Hall's Basin to Greenland. When at
Polaris Bay he hoisted the American ensign and fired a salute, while a
brass plate, which had been prepared in England, was fixed on Hall's
grave. On the tablet was the following inscription:--"Sacred to the
memory of Captain C.F. Hall, of the U.S. _Polaris_, who sacrificed his
life in the advancement of science, on 8th November 1871. This tablet
has been erected by the British Polar Expedition of 1875, who, following
in his footsteps, have profited by his experience."

No inhabitants were seen in the neighbourhood of the ships' winter
quarters, but ancient Eskimo remains were traced on the west side of
Smith's Sound up to latitude 81 degrees 52 minutes. From thence they
crossed it at the narrowest parts of the channel to Greenland. It seems
surprising that animal life should exist so far north; but that it does
so was proved, six musk oxen having been shot at the _Alert's_ winter
quarters, besides fifty-seven others near Discovery Grave. In the same
neighbourhood, although not, unfortunately, until the summer had
commenced, a seam of good coal, easily worked, was discovered by Mr
Hart, the naturalist. It is remarkable that the aurora was far less
magnificent than in more southern latitudes. Of the numerous
expeditions sent out by the _Discovery_, several were exposed to extreme
danger, while nearly the whole of the men engaged in them suffered from
scurvy. One expedition had been despatched to explore North Greenland
with a lifeboat. In this party Lieutenant Rawson with four men had
become detached, when, with the exception of the lieutenant and a
marine, they were attacked with scurvy. One of the men died on the way.
Happily they were met by Dr Coppinger, by whose assistance they were
greatly restored; an Eskimo, also, being successful in shooting seals,
supplied them with fresh food. Dr Coppinger, feeling anxious about the
North Greenland party, set out with the Eskimo in a dog sledge, and
found them in a most exhausted condition; everything had been left
behind, and four were so crippled with scurvy that they were being
dragged on by two others, who were only slightly attacked. When the
doctor arrived they had not a particle of food, and must inevitably have
succumbed. One of the party died the morning after their arrival at
Hall's Rest, to which they had been dragged. So critical was the
condition of the sufferers, that an officer and two men were despatc