The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-31
UNENoUY BAFFINLzND.
Dr. BeiI's Exploration or tho Third Greatest
Island or tho World.

Island OF tho world.
OTTAWA Oct. 29.-Much interesting infer
nation has been received regarding tho explo-
ration trip OF DR.. Robert Bell Of tho Dominion
Geological Survey during thet summer in
connection with tho Hudson's Bay expedition.
The steamer Diana bruised to Big Island and
launched DIR. Bells yacht in Ashe Inlet on July
20. Il was arranged that the Diana should
call for DR.. Bell at the same inlet on Sept. 10.
In the meantime he was to explore tho coast to
tho northwest as far as possible and return.
This he managed to do very successfully In
spite of many dangers and difficulties. lie also
explored some Of the vast interior of Bafiinland
and returned to Big Island ten days before the
appointed date. Tho interval was flied up by
extending his explorations east of Big Island,
as far as Icy Cove.
The northern sido Of Hudson Strait Is tho
southern coast of Baflnland, which is tho third
largest island In the world, being 1,l50 miles
in length. Greenland and Australia alone ex-
coed IL in length. Hudson Strait is about 500
miles in length and Averages about 100 miles
in width. Big Island, which lies near the north
side. is thirty miles long and twenty miles wide.
Both shores Of the strait are mountainous and
destitute OF trees being eei,ns beyond the limit of the
half OF the south shore is higher and holder
than any other part OF these coasts. and rises to
the sea. The eastern half Of the south coast Is
rather low, and is not broken by any mountain
The whole north shore is rugged, but it
rises more gradually as we go back tom tho
sea, and attains q general elevation OF ! 900 to
inland. In the spring a cold, ice-laden current,
flowing in from Davis Strait, passes up the
water Of Hudson Bay flows out along the south
shore. The north side has therefore a more
Arctic character than the south"
At the outset OF his journey DR.. Bell was
fortunate enough to find an Eskimo who knew
something OF the coast and understood English
t sanlSr. well w.s The he s cSMeTeI paTt S of thS coast ,h to b. :,
was not indicated on the charts. even by a dot
ted line. Passing to the northwest of Big Isl
many islands, and n little further on the whole
coast seemed to be broken up into innumer.
gle hills of rock surrounded by water TO ranges
several miles in length. This border OF islands
is from ten TO twenty miles wide,
1t was difficult to determine when the main
laud was finally, reached. Even when the eX.
plorers assembled a mountain they could SEQ
many channels of the sea running in all dlrco-
lions among the high hills. Besides the chan
ne!s and shore separating the islands, a num-
Dor Of large fjords running far inland were
conditions are due to the geological structure
OF a great development OF cry stallinc rocks.
gence. DR.. Rell does not recall SO striking an
exallple of this kind OF topography in any other
part of the, world. Here glaciation has reduced
paratively even outline.
The channels OF this great archipelago OF south
ern Bafinlund have an angular and zigzlg
character, which adds to the difficulty of fol-
lowing them. Owing to the vast extent and
complicated nature OF the channels, if the little
party had met with. any accident while uxplor-
Ing this labyrinth OF islands it would have been
impossible for others to have found them, and
they would inevitably have persisted when the
long winter came on. The great est difficulties
they had 10 contend with were Abe foes of heavy
tibie force hitler and thither by the strong cur.
ents, due TO the high tides. In the course OF his
westward exploration the ice at one time com
pletely barred DIR. Bells progress. While wait
ing for an open passage through it, he deter
mined to make a journey inland TO visit, If pos
siblc. the great lakes reported to exist there.
Accompanied by three OF his men he walked
over the bare mountainous country and fixed
the position or two Of these large lakes whose
southern shores come within nifty or sixty miles
of Hudson Strait, This proved a very interest.
ing exploration, the Intervening country being
picturesque and full or clear lakes and streams.
Two small glaciers were also passed.
- Only a small number of EskimUs were met by
DIR. Bells party. In this region these people
retain most of their primitive habits, and they
dress in clothing made from the skins Of seals
and reindeer