as
rafters. The door was made of parchment deer skins stretched over a
frame of wood. It was named Fort Hope, and was situated in latitude 66 deg.
32' 16" north, longitude (by a number of sets of lunar distances) 86 deg.
55' 51" west. The variation of the compass on the 30th August, 1846, was
62 deg. 50' 30" west; dip of the needle, 88 deg. 14'; and the mean time of 100
vertical vibrations in the line of declination 226.

"On the 5th of April in the present year, Doctor Rae commenced his
spring journeys in company with three men, the Esquimaux, Ibit-Chuck,
and Oulibuck's son, as interpreter; and, on the 15th, which was very
stormy, with a temperature of 20 deg. below zero, they arrived at the steep
mud banks of a bay, called by their guide Ak-ku-li-guwiak. Its surface
was marked with a number of high rocky islands, towards the highest of
which (six or seven miles distant) they directed their course, and
were, before sunset, comfortably housed under a snow roof. Early in the
morning of the 17th, he set out in company with two of the men, for the
purpose of following the coast to some point surveyed by Sir John Ross,
as he felt confident that the veteran discoverer was correct in his
opinion as to Boothia Felix being part of the American continent. They
directed their course to the furthest visible land, which bore N.W.
(true). Cape Berens (the point alluded to) is equated in latitude 69 deg. 4'
12" north, and longitude 90 deg. 35' west. It is formed entirely of granite
partially covered with moss. Thirteen miles beyond this they arrived at
two narrow points in the small bay, between which they built their snow
hut.

"As they were now near the latitude and longitude of Lord Mayor's Bay of
Sir John Ross, he struck across land nearly in a north direction, and at
noon, when passing over a considerable lake, the latitude of 69 deg. 26'
1" north was observed. Advancing three miles beyond this, he reached
another lake. A walk of twenty minutes brought him to an inlet not more
than a quarter of a mile wide. This he traced to the westward for three
miles, when his course was again obstructed by land. Ascending some high
rocks, from which a good view could be obtained, he thought he could
distinguish rough ice in the desired direction. With renewed hopes, he
set out at a rapid pace, plunging among deep snow, scrambling over rocks
and through rough ice, until he gained some rising ground close to the
beach. From the spot where he