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 ALONG THE COAST. J I the summer months at least ? Such were the grave questions which Lieutenant Hobson had to solve, and which called for immediate atten- tion. We give a summary of the conclusions at which he arrived. Game, properly so called, of the kind for which Corporal Joliffe amongst others had a special predilection, was not abundant. There were plenty of birds of the duck tribe ; but only a few Polar hares, difficult of approach, poorly represented the rodents of the north. There seemed, however, to be a good many bears about. Marbre- and Sabine had come upon the fresh traces of several. Some were even seen and tracked; but, as a rule, they kept at a respectful distance. In the winter, however, driven by famine from higher latitudes, there would probably be more than enough of these ravenous beasts prowling about the shores of the Arctic Ocean. '* There is certainly no denying," said Corporal Joliffe, " that bear's flesh is very good eating when once it's in the larder; but there is something very problematical about it beforehand, and it 's always just possible that the hunters themselves may meet the fate- they intended for the bears ! " This was true enough. It was no use counting upon the bears ta provision their fort. Fortunately traces were presently found of herds of a far more useful animal, the flesh of which is the principal food of the Indians and Esquimaux. We allude to the reindeer ; and Corporal Joliffe announced with the greatest satisfaction that there were plenty of these ruminants on this coast. The ground was covered with the lichen to which they are so partial, and which they cleverly dig out from under the snow. There could be no mistake as to the footprints left by the rein- deer, as, like the camel, they have a small nail-like hoof with a con- vex surface. Large herds, sometimes numbering several thousand animals, are seen running wild in certain parts of America. Being easily domesticated, they are employed to draw sledges ; and they also supply the factories with excellent milk, more nourishing than that of cows. Their dead bodies are not less useful. Their thick skin provides clothes, their hair makes very good thread, and their flesh is palatable ; so that they are really the most valuable animals- to be found in these latitudes, and Hobson, being assured of their presence, was relieved from half his anxiety. As he advanced he had also reason to be satisfied with regard to the fur-bearing animals. By the little streams rose many beaver lodges and musk-rat tunnels. Badgers, lynxes, ermines, wolverenes,.