1854.] EXPERIMENTS ON SNOW-COVERING. 175 



This sponginess of the ice is clearly manifested by the 

 rising of the water where we commenced a cutting over 

 our anchor, as well as at a crack near the sternpost, 

 where the ebb and flow of tide is clearly indicated, not- 

 withstanding temperatures as low as 19. 



Yesterday two holes were driven horizontally into the 

 snow-bank near the ship ; one at the denuded floe edge, 

 the other three feet above and immediately over; into 

 these holes two spirit minimum thermometers were care- 

 fully inserted, and the holes well closed with snow. The 

 temperatures were raised to 32 before insertion, and 

 that night the external register indicated 12' 5. At 

 first sight these experiments may be supposed to be sim- 

 ply connected with meteorology; but my object had 

 further reference disregarding empirical assertion to 

 the most advantageous position for pitching tents, on 

 ice, snow, or gravel. I have, upon my own impression, 

 as before observed, preferred snow, and the Esquimaux 

 do not, I believe, clear it off to the ground when they 

 construct their snow-houses ; I find it, moreover, plea- 

 santer to projecting bones than irregular ice or gravel. 



May 6. Today we commenced lining out the cut- 

 tings for our dock to lead the ship ahead and off-shore, 

 before we lose the substantial floating power of the ice 

 should the depth prove scant; for it is evident to my 

 senses, that whilst thus cradled and uplifted it would 

 prove a very easy matter to transport the entire floating 

 mass to seaward, when the weight of the ship freed from 

 ice might defy our exertions. 



On the evening of the 7th our first sledge of the mail 

 line, intended to be maintained, conveying instruments, 



