170 ON THE EFFECTING OF 



field ice ; but being so much deeper, they are more in- 

 fluenced by the current, which, pressing forward against this 

 huge mass, forces it to rive the surrounding field, and 

 produce the flaw ice, which is then carried oft' by the 



passed, flaunting along, seemingly in high fun : the sailors give such 

 assemblages tlie whimsical appellation of " seals' weddings : " pro- 

 cellaria glacialis, larus tridactylus and canus : also colymbus troile in 

 vast number : a pair of colymbus giylle : the numerous flock of 

 sterna hirundo reappeared with their usual clamour : then- cry is 

 uttered when about to make the plunge, which is often to a consider- 

 able depth below the surface of the water, and they seldom miss theu' 

 object. 



June 15 : ther. 30°, 40°, 38° : wind light air from S., and calm : 

 cirrostratus irregularly scattered at an elevation of about half a mile : 

 about 7 p. m. a breeze sprung up from N.E. increasing as the day 

 advanced : a merry emigration of seals, moie than twenty in number, 

 was observed, and seemed to enjoy the notice taken of their glee : 

 larus maximus, four seen this day, and a countless number of other 

 aquatic birds ; among these a single pair of the eider duck. 



June 16 : ther. 30°, 34°, 30°: wind N.E., strong breeze: no land 

 in sight: ice bUnk in N.W. : cirrostratus irregiilarly diffused: 

 atmosphere gloomy, but not sensibly cold, even at noon : a herd of 

 whales was seen, moving together in a breast Une : a group of seals 

 formed a similar line in their advance, whilst numerous sportive 

 stragglers filled up their rear : procellaria glacialis numerous, active, 



