44 VOYAGE OUTWARD. 



much heightened by the stratification exhibiting horizontal 

 and parallel fissure, similar to regular building. The rock 

 is basaltic, but not of that regular form which occurs in 

 the Giants' Causeway. This may be seen by casting the 

 eye on Plate II., which was selected at Old Lievely as a 

 tolerably exact specimen of the stratification generally 



numerous flocks of the anas mollissima, colymbus troile, and of the 

 genns larus around in every direction : much scattered ice : the at- 

 mosphere generally very clear. 



May 5: ther. 10°, 23°, 18°: wmd S.E., fresh breeze: ship 

 standing in close with the land, which no longer presented the 

 angular prominences of the lands more to the southward : this lies 

 low with rounded summits, but no appearance of plain : after 

 passing through streams of ice, and by bergs of the most fantastic 

 forms, the ship was made fast to a berg, at a short distance from the 

 shore, in about ten fathoms water : saw this day a solitary raven, 

 great numbers of Eider ducks, and some seals ; the latter being re- 

 markably cautious of observation : the state of cloud was uniformly 

 haze : the tide here is amazingly rapid : islands around ; these are the 

 Wild Islands. 



May 6: ther. 17°, 36°, 21°: wind S., fresh breeze: ship cast ofl" 

 from the berg, and proceeding to the northwaixi : sounding near the land 

 ten fathoms : twenty-one ships in sight : this day heard of the melan- 

 choly loss of the London with all her crew : a hght stratus is the 

 only cloud in view : atmosphere agreeably mild : immense flocks of 

 ducks on wing ; hereabouts is their favourite haunt for rearing their 



