The Great Frozen Sea

tay above the hill

bow will scare the herd, and so my shoot is lost. He

g recess ther

des it from t

rt secure for

utting land on

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ice, through which we had no difficulty in penetrating. Our predictions were indeed realized, and to a greater extent than we had even anticipated. We had reached a "North Water," in which we were sensible of a very perceptible motion on board the ship. It is true that the pack, apparently as

with the hope that the same wind would blow all the ice to the southward, and thus enable us to make good progress. The temperature being some six or seven degrees below freezing point caused us to feel the sharp wind in a very

e to Crozier Island, having Cape Constitution full in view. Its a

mined by the action of the sea, thus forming an overhanging terrace, up which it would be impossible to ascend. Morton found its ascent totally impracticable, on account of the steep and rugged nature of the cliff. We were unable to detect any signs of a mer de gla

a striking contrast to the places on the opposite side of the channel, where the positions are so egregiously inaccurate. The deep inlet on the American chart called Carl Ritter Bay

al formation, there was a great dissimilarity between the physical appearance of the land on either side. That on the east was flat and table-topped, rising to the height of about one thousand feet, separated into hills by broad valleys, whilst the stratification of the cliffs was r

upheaval, that on the west seemed to have been raised suddenly, the deep ravine

y-four hours, assisted, for a short time, as we have been, by a strong

Basin our implacable enemy, the ice-solid floes of immense area stretching to the northward as far

rtunity for pushing on. The strong southerly wind now blowing will, in all probability, be succeeded by a calm or a breeze from the northward, either of which will have the effect of opening the ice. The "Discovery" having landed a small dep?t of two hundred and forty rations

d S.E. direction, having numerous small glaciers on either side, the majority of

lies directly across its mouth, has every appearance of having been its terminal moraine, not only from its position, but also from i

which Greenland is supposed to be buried, and whose outpourings in

and some dovekies, with an

ending a high hill, obtained a good and unobstructed view to the northward. T

n the last American Chart. I put no belief in the land reported to have been seen by some of the men of the "Polaris," and named President Land. Should the land terminate, as I anti

the centre of the island. Here we had an uninterrupted view to the northward; but what we saw only confirmed the report brought on board in the earlier part of the day. The western side of

e of the ice what our prospects of pushing on were likely to be. During his absence a haul with the dredge was obtained, but with unimportant results: the continual movement of iceber

his boat, off Cape Morton, with the s

pleasing information that from the summit of Cape Morton he had observed a magnificent lead of water along the west coast, and extending

those we had lately had would reduce our fuel to such an extent that we could hope to

to endure! First of all a confiding anticipation in the future makes us joyou

ce to reaching, in a few hours, Cape Beechey, or perhaps even Cape Union, both being distinctl

met by our insatiable enemy, the ice, whi

e for us. Whilst crossing Kennedy Channel we obtained a magnificent view up Petermann Fiord. It is an extensive opening, with no land visible at its head. This is a geographical problem which we hope we shall soon be able

ent hill. Such an opportunity for obtaining fresh meat was not to be disregarded. A shooting party was quickly organized, and, whilst the boats were being prepared and the hunters gettin

go, and the sportsmen desp

rd. Not only did we all enter keenly into the sport, but our mouths watered at the prospect of again indulging in fresh meat. We pictured to ourselves smoking-hot beefsteaks and sav

in the direction of a deep ravine. Here they were met by a couple of the hunters, who discharging their rifles dropped two of the herd. The remainder turned and dashed up the s

ble fellow; but so tenacious of life that several shots had

possibility of any delay in doing so being the means of tainting the flesh with the disagreeable musky odour. This, in consequence of the scarcity of knives amongst the party, was a long and

K O

called ovibos moschatus. They are only met with in high latitudes, although traces of them, it is reported

casionally single specimens are found. The herd just obtained by us consisted of one old bull and four old cows, and two young bulls and two young cows. They subsist on the scant vegetation of these regions-principally grasses and lichens-which they scrape up from under the snow, when the ground is covered. They hardly give one the impression of being very quick and agile, yet they ascend hills and

way adapted for this purpose. A secure harbour, possessing two narrow entrances, with the water so shallow as to effectually prevent the larger and heavier pieces of ice from drifting into it, with a neighbourhood covered with a more luxuriant and richer vegetation than had hitherto been seen, and gi

int; and the young ice has been forming to an alarming extent, even at midday. An advance, if farther advance is to be made, will be better and more speedily accomplished with one shi

ry to lose the companionship of our numerous friends. The evening was spent in an interchange of visits, and many a sincere and ferven

communicating with our consort, an officer, Lieutenant Rawson, and seven men were received from the "Discovery;" the only

her consort as she passed; she hoisting the signal "May Providence prosper your efforts," to which we replied "Happy Winter;" and thus we separated, happy