Sept. 1857. BEARS— AMUSEMENTS. 39 



old ice on the contrary is covered with a foot of soft snow. 

 We have no shooting j scarcely a living creature has been 

 seen for a week. 



2 4///.— Position, 75 8' N., 65 20' W. Yesterday I thought 

 I saw two of our men walking at a distance, and beyond 

 some unsafe ice, but on inquiry found that all were on 

 board : Petersen and I set off to reconnoitre the strangers ; 

 they proved to be bears, but much too wary to let us come 

 within shot. It was dark when we returned on board after 

 a brisk walk over the new ice. The calm air felt agreeably 

 mild, we were without mittens and but that the breath froze 

 upon mustachios and beard, one could have readily imagined 

 the night was comfortably warm; yet the thermometer 

 stood at 2 7 below the freezing point. I feel more inclined 

 to pardon the man who remarked, " the thermometer had 

 no influence whatever on the cold," than to bear with people 

 who take for granted that it indicates the sensation of heat 

 or cold appreciable by our feelings. 



To-day when walking in a fresh breeze the wind felt very 

 cold, and kept one on the look-out for frost-bites, although 

 the thermometer was up to io°. Games upon the ice and 

 skating are our afternoon amusements; but we also have 

 some few lovers of music, who embrace the opportunity for 

 vigorous execution, without fear of being reminded that 

 others may have ears more sensitive and discriminating 

 than their own. But I must not omit to mention the cat, 

 for she affords us quite as much amusement as the con- 

 certina. The Doctor has been very zealous in arranging 

 the specimens of dried plants, and tells me that now he has 

 got them all packed up and ready for delivery ! 



26//1. — The mountain to the north of Melville Bay, 

 known as the " Snowy Peak," was visible yesterday, although 

 90 miles distant; I have calculated its height to be 6000 

 feet. A raven was shot to-day. 



