394 ACCOUNT OY THE ARCTIC UEGIONS. 



fog-botv, or rather Jbg-cifrle, is, on the contrary, 

 more rarely ohserved, and is consequently entitled 

 to some of our attention. The intense fogs which 

 prevail in the polar' seas, at certain seasons, occa- 

 sionally rest upon the surface of the water, and 

 reach only to an inconsiderable height. At such 

 times, though objects situated on the water can 

 scarcely be discerned at the distance of 100 yards, 

 yet the sun will be visible and effulgent. Under 

 such circumstances, on the 19tli of July 1813, being 

 at the top-mast-head, I observed a beautiful circle 

 of about 30° diameter, v/ith bands of vivid colours, 

 depicted on the fog. The centre of the circle was 

 in a line drawn from the sun through the point of 

 vision, until it met the visible vapour in a situation 

 exactly opposite the sun. The lower part of the 

 circle descended beneath my feet to the side of the 

 ship ; and although it could not be an hundred feet 

 from the eye, it was perfect, and the colours distinct. 

 The centre of the coloured circle was distinguished 

 by my own shadow, the head of which enveloped 

 by a halo, was most conspicuously pourtrayed. 

 The halo or glory was evidently impressed on the 

 fog, but the figure appeared to be a shadow on the 

 water, the different parts of which became obscure 

 in proportion to their remoteness from the head, so 

 that the lower extremities were not perceptible. I 

 remained a long time contemplating the beautiful 

 phenomenon before me. Notwithstanding the sun was 



