1852.] ACTION OF TIDAL FISSURES. 149 



when I selected the position, but it certainly was six feet 

 above the level of the highest tide. 



H w 

 L w 



Supposing the upper line to represent high water ; the 

 second to indicate the thickness of ice ; next, the centre 

 line to indicate low water, and the third its under surface 

 of ice; the breaks on the shore would indicate the na- 

 tural causes operating to crack ; the upper dots, the early 

 stealthy movements up-hill, as evident in tidal pools. 



The preceding matter may be dry, but I am not aware 

 that any previous navigator has attempted to explain the 

 causes in action ; and if I merely succeed in drawing the 

 attention of enlightened men, not of those irritated by 

 the truths which demolish their theories, I am fully re- 

 paid. I cannot say, Ex fumo dare lucem ; but they may 

 blow the smoke from our eyes by enlarged discussion. 



That the floe had moved in-shore I had absolute proof 

 before I finally removed the tide-pole; when it was 

 placed, it had an inclination seaward, and the pole was 

 at the back of the hole ; when removed, it had about the 

 same inclination in-shore, and we had to cut away the 

 outside part of the floe : this would not afford at that 

 spot, afloat, more than one foot. One very curious fact 

 was the depth to which we had to dig to get out the 

 triangle legs, three feet perpendicular. The question 

 then arose, where does the increment take place in freez- 

 ing? I am inclined to think, in the early season, both 



