August, 1855 Schering's Straits 280 A thick fog. We sounded in 43 f. blue clay: the clump lead bringing up a star-fish, some Choristopods, and the Sepions of a number of Claws (Mya truncata) which had been snipped off by the jaws of the instrument before the unfortunate Crustacea had time to retract their breathing tubes. Aug. 1. N. lat. 64°02' E. lon. 184°20' Wind S.E. Foggy. Temp. 58° We ran into Schering's Straits between St. Lawrence I. and the mainland of Asia, getting soundings in from 25 to 35 f. gravelly and gritty mud bottoms. In the clump-lead I found a number of small crustaceans' shells etc. At 8 o'clock in the evening the fog cleared away for a few minutes, enabling us to see the land (which afterward proved to be a part of Arikamokeche I. E. of the entrance to Seriorine Straits) when we ran in and anchored. A boat was sent ashore, which communicated with the natives. 2nd Temp. 44° Cold and Foggy, with some rains. There being little or no wind we remained quietly at our anchorage, and were visited by several Canoe-loads of Tchuctches. By hauling the dudge alongside I got a number of Chitons and other shells, also Amphipods &c. August, 1855 Serbarine Straits 281 3rd A rainy day, clear however in the morning. We rose up anchor at an early hour, and came in toward the Straits, but the fog coming up again thicker than ever, the anchor was soon dropped, and we spent another day in this somewhat dreary situation. What we saw of the coast look unpromising enough to those who intended to stay many weeks here, the vegetation being scant or entirely wanting, — a landscape of damp rocks with large patches of snow lying about in every direction — even near the water's edge. 4th We ran into the Straits from after two days light and anchored in Glassnappe Harbor. The ship was almost immediately surrounded by Canoes. The weather being clear though cold I went ashore to have a look at our future place of residence, Com. Rodgers having given me permission to join the party which is to remain here to make observations during the cruise of the ship in the Arctic Ocean. This party is under the command