44 SNOW CRYSTALS. Chap. IV. 



Lady Franklin in 1851; it is now about to pass its third 

 winter in the frozen regions. 



Two dogs ran off yesterday, in the vain hope, I suppose, 

 of bettering their condition, — we only feed them three 

 times a week at present ; they returned this morning. 



Seals are daily seen upon the new ice, but in this doubtful 

 sort of light they are extremely timid, therefore our sports- 

 men cannot get within shot. The bears scent or hear our 

 dogs, and so keep aloof; even the shark has deserted us, 

 the bait remains intact. The snow crystals of last night are 

 extremely beautiful ; the largest kind is an inch in length ; its 

 form exactly resembles the end of a pointed feather. Stellar 

 crystals two-tenths of an inch in diameter have also fallen ; 

 these have six points, and are the most exquisite things 

 when seen under a microscope. I remember noticing them 

 at Melville Island in March, 1853, when the temperature 

 rose to +8°; as these were formed last night between the 

 temperatures of +6° and + 12° it would appear that the 

 form is due to a certain fixed temperature. In the sun, or 

 even in moonlight, all these crystals glisten most brilliantly ; 

 and as our masts and rigging are abundantly covered with 

 them, the 'Fox' never was so gorgeously arrayed as she 

 now appears. 



^th. — One day is very like another; we have to battle 

 stoutly with monotony ; and but that each twenty-four hours 

 brings with it necessary, though trivial duties, it would be 

 difficult to remember the date. We take our guns and walk 

 long distances, but see nothing. Two of the dogs go 

 hunting on their own account, sometimes remaining absent 

 all night. What they find or do is a mystery. The weather 

 is generally calm and cold, — very favourable for freezing 

 purposes at all events,— for the ice of only three weeks' 

 growth is two feet thick. 



Our well is exhausted ; for nearly a month we have drawn 



