1853.] SEAL-HOLES. 311 



Such is iny own view of the matter. This reduction of 

 the snow was, after I detected the varieties, taken advan- 

 tage of to facilitate cooking, as the heavy globular variety 

 \vas found to produce water in less time and save fuel. 



Although the tracks of bears did not frequently occur 

 on this off-shore excursion, still they were noticed in the 

 immediate vicinity of Buckingham Island. The absence 

 of seal-holes, and the general denseness of the ice, may 

 account for their scarcity : and this leads to the ques- 

 tion, How do these latter animals bore or keep open the 

 holes in the ice ? I am aware that Nature, even during 

 periods of very low temperature, will keep open certain 

 vents or escapes ; and although frequently skinned over, 

 they are soon removed by the first glances of returning 

 sun, or by warm currents of water beneath. In seal- 

 holes however there is generally a conical, funnel-shaped 

 opening beneath, evincing some power possessed by this 

 animal in thawing the ice. In February they come up 

 to bask and pup, even when a few minutes might cut off 

 retreat : and although it is generally maintained that 

 bears are constantly found where seals abound, such 

 has not been borne out by our experience, rather the 

 reverse. 



In order to secure our retreat, I determined to recover 

 our track over the old floe of May, and follow it up to 

 Cape Disraeli or Mount Parker : this would carry us 

 clear of all difficulties. 



On the 14th, having recognized our old landmarks, we 

 soon recovered our former track along-shore, and about 

 six A.M. pitched within six hours of our destination. As 

 nothing important called for my presence, and the sun 



