86 THE "ICE BLINK." 



At ttiis point, or line of demarcation of the 

 two atmospheres, it was curious to mark the 

 rapid motion of the clouds to the right or left, 

 and how immediately they became condensed, 

 or were dispersed on arriving' at it; and al- 

 though masses of clouds were continually borne 

 towards the spot by the impetuosity of the 

 tempest, the line of termination did not en- 

 croach upon that of the serene atmosphere 

 overhanging the pack. This contrast between 

 the two atmospheres, so remarkable in cloudy 

 weather especially, is termed the "ice blink? 

 and enables the experienced mariner to judge 

 of the nature and position of the ice, even at 

 a distance. 



The effect of a southwest gale upon the ice, 

 especially when it is of long continuance, is first 

 to pack it so closely as to exclude every pool of 

 water, and then to propel the whole body to 

 the northward. But, as soon as the wind ceases 

 the floes separate, with an apparent elasticity; 

 the prevailing current, which has been pressed 

 up by the gale, resumes its course; the ice 

 opens in every direction, and may be seen tra- 

 velling at a rate scarcely credible. 



Thus, on the 23rd, we found the field to 

 which we were fast, setting to the southward 

 at the rate of three miles an hour, and the 



