66 CLOVEN CLIFF. 



elevated plateau, and had been separated by the 

 degradation of the intermediate soil. The snow 

 having lodged upon the upper surfaces of the 

 strata, from the base even to the summits of the 

 peaks, occasioned a regular series of black and 

 white stripes, which, viewed against a clear sky, 

 presented a singular appearance, and such as must 

 render these hills peculiarly adapted for landmarks. 

 The following evening we were close to the 

 ice off Cloven Cliff. The pack was still impe- 

 netrable ; but it was some satisfaction to observe 

 that the margin was removed several miles to 

 the northward of its former position, and that 

 there was a channel of water between it and 

 the land. Several days had now been pass- 

 ed without any apparent advantage to the ex- 

 pedition, and, considering the shortness of the 

 season, it was evident that the opportunity thus 

 afforded of getting to the northward of Spitz- 

 bergen, though at the risk of being beset, was 

 not to be neglected. As Captain Buchan had 

 reason to think the channel just cleared away 

 might lead to an open sea beyond, not a mo- 

 ment was lost in taking advantage of the open- 

 ing. The ships passed Cloven Cliff, — a remark- 

 able isolated rock which marks the north-wes- 

 tern boundary of Spitzbergen, — and for some 

 time steered along an intricate channel between 



