A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. ITl 



current, and pushed on by the majestic berg. The tlaw ice, 

 sometimes leagues in extent, invariably level, and covered 

 with snow about ten inches deep, is also urged in its 

 change of place by the pressure of the wind, which, though 



and unusually bold, whicli latter character this bird always assumes 

 around the ships, when whales are in the vicinity : also larus 

 maximus : the breeze and dark weather continued to the end. 



June 17: ther. 30'', 46°, 40°: wind E.S.E., fresh breeze: in the 

 forenoon, the atmosphere continued dark, cold and hazy, with light 

 acicular snow : the ice blink of the preceding day covered an immense 

 pack, which is supposed, at this date, to extend to the western con- 

 tinent : numerous bergs, of enormous size, sate in various du-ections 

 amongs^ this ice : the removal of this ice from the shores of Green- 

 land, is, in consequence of the prevalence of the easterly winds, aided 

 by so much of the north wind and the cuiTcnt. 



Afternoon the atmosphere suddenly cleared up, and became dry 

 and fine ; a few trains of brown patches of cirrostratus alone remain- 

 ing, and pointing in their bases to the N.E. : the north-west side of 

 Disko in sight, high bluff Table Land : colymbus modulans in numer- 

 ous flocks, and a few of procellaria glacialis. 



June 18: ther. 32°, 35°, 32°: wind N.E., strong breeze: this 

 wind, though unfavourable to proceeding northward, is usefiil in 

 driving the ice to the southward and westward, and tends to open 

 a communication with the waters further north. 



Here is an evident proof of the importance which attaches to 

 the observation of the clouds. In the remarks of the preceding day, 



z 2 



