A NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. 195 



frequently referred to, see Plate XVI.) The lofty columnar 

 tops with which it is crowned, are nothing but the ridges 

 remaining of the icy mass, which has been channelled by 

 the annual torrents, that tumble from that extraordinary ac- 

 cumulation of congealed water. Neither does it require 



monoceros came from under the field of ice, or played along its 

 edge, and numerous families of seals were observed in merry emigra- 

 tion passing to the westward. 



July 17: ther. 38°, 52°, 38°: wind N.E., fresh breeze: not a 

 speck of cloud to be seen : the air unusually hot : the continent of 

 ice distinctly seen: latitude observed at noon 75° 17' N. : larus 

 maximus and delphinus leucas in great number : colymbus glocitans 

 in large flocks, sometimes flying very high : an odd colymbus troile 

 appeared ; and col. grylle in parties of five : few seals seen. 



July 18: ther. 48°, 42°, 32°: wind N.E., ligl.t air: the state of 

 atmosphere still the same, and not a speck of cloud to be seen : at 

 noon a bright fog bank arose in the south-west, which afterward ex- 

 tended itself over the whole sky, verifying the assertion, that it is 

 observed to move against the wind : a procellaria glacialis appeared 

 entirely white : larus maximus and eburneus : the monodon appeared 

 in great number this day, and the Thomas's men succeeded in killing 

 one male and two females : the latter were destitute of the tooth : 

 they are always taken without that instrument, which is solely con- 

 ferred on the male either for ornament or annoyance : the male 

 monodon measured from snout to tail fourteen feet : the horn six feet 

 eight inches : there was also a minute one in the left socket, hut not 



2 c 2 



