296 ACCOUNT OF THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 



we had passed on a direct course a distance of 35 

 or 40 leagues, whereof one-half was in contracted 

 channels, amidst compact and formidable ice. And, 

 further, that in less than a fortnight, while at rest 

 with regard to the ice, our drift, as ascertained by 

 astronomical observations, had been 60 or 70 miles 

 to the south, and a distance nearly as great to the 

 west. 



SECT. IX. 



Effects of the Ice on the Atmosphere, and of the 

 Ice and Sea on each other. 



The profusion of ice in the polar regions, produ- 

 ces peculiar and marked effects on the surrounding 

 elements. The sea, in consequence, exhibits some 

 interesting characters, and the atmosphere, some 

 striking phenomena. Of these, the power the ice 

 exerts on the wind, — on aqueous vapour, — on the 

 colour of the sky, — and on the temperature of the 

 air, are the most prominent ; and of those the re- 

 sults are varied accordingly as the ice or swell lias 

 the ascendency. 



1. When til?} wind blows forcibly across a solid 

 pack or field of ice, its power is much diminished 

 ere it traverses many miles : Insomuch, that a 

 storm will frequently blow for several hours on 



