A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 163 



On a prominent eminence at Lievelj^ stands a wooden 

 building, called a look-out house, the standing place of such 

 persons as are on the watch for whales. The house of the 



May 26: ther. 29°, 32°, 30°: wind W.S.W., strong breeze: the 

 still and tranquil state of the last fortnight is much changed since 

 the appearance of the swell noticed last evening : the ice has under- 

 gone much dissolution, and extensive seas are now visible amongst 

 the packs : the swell came from the southward, and was more 

 determined towards midnight, when the atmosphere became loaded 

 with snow-cloud, which was succeeded by cirrostratus flying along 

 with much velocity : in the higher regions ciirus and cirrocumulus 

 uninfluenced by the wind, agitating the mass below. The rock of 

 Disko, in the distance appeared as if standing on a mirror, though 

 the ice was visible close in witli the shore, and extended outwards 

 in a close pack for leagues : the snow channels down the rock 

 seemed to be perpendicular to the plane of the imaginary miiTor : 

 larus maximus, canus, and marinus on wing : P. glacialis ; also a 

 raven. 



May 27 : ther. 32°, 34°, 36° : wind, light airs, variable : comoid 

 cirrus, and streaks of ciiTostratus in the horizon pointing to N.W. 

 and S. E. : ship cleared the ice and moved into the vicinity of the 

 Whale, Dog and Western Isles : colymbus troile. 



May 28: ther. 42° throughout: wind S.E., fresh breeze: cutus 

 varying its forms incessantly, its fine points directed to S.W. : after- 

 noon still and calm : surface of the sea of glassy smootlmess, dimpled 

 only by the plunge of the sterna hirundo, which plied its graceful 



y 2 



