187G DRIFT-WOOD. 75 



examination I found these rocks full of fossils, speci- 

 mens of which I brought on board. These rocks must 

 have been transported there by ice, as they are of a totally 

 different nature from that of the surrounding strata." 



4 In considering former reports of the finding of 

 fossil wood, and trees said to be in situ, it is noticeable 

 that the positions where such petrifactions and stumps 

 of trees have been found, not excepting the case re- 

 ported by Sir Edward Belcher (' Last Arctic Voyage,' 

 vol. i. p. 380), are all in the near neighbourhood of 

 where the water-currents are now collecting drift- 

 timber, and whither we would expect them to have 

 borne it when the land was at a lower level than it is 

 at present, which all the data in our possession proves 

 to have been the case in very recent geological times. 



' With calm weather the pack has closed in again. 

 There is a very slow movement in it towards the east- 

 ward during the flood-tide — none towards the west 

 with the ebb ; but although it is quiet here, with a 

 sluggish current, the ice to the southward of the 

 narrow funnel-shaped Eobeson Channel must be drift- 

 ing quickly towards Kane's Sea. 



' Parr has commenced to clear away a passage 

 through our floeberg barrier. I am afraid to open the 

 channel completely, lest heavier ice should drift into the 

 vacancy left. 



' The gravel and cinders spread out over the ice 

 have now eaten their way through : this is a week later 

 in the season than when the same thing occurred at 

 Melville Island in 1853. 



' 26th. — ■■ Yesterday, in consequence of a slight 

 movement in the ice, the ship became upright once 



