ATMOSPHEROLpGY. — WINDS. 405 



where there happened to be no ships, there appeared 

 to be no wind at all. The clouds above us at the 

 time, were constantly changing their forms. Showers 

 of snow were seen in various places at a distance. 



Another instance occurred also within my own ob- 

 servation, in April 1813. The crew of the ship Esk, 

 under my command, were engaged in pursuit of 

 some whales, near the edge of the main western ice, 

 in latitude 80° 7', during which the ship was laid- 

 to, near the scene of the chace. In the course of 

 the day, we had winds from every point of the com- 

 pass, and with every degree of force from storm to 

 calm. While a gentle breeze of wind from the N. 

 prevailed with us, a heavy swell from the S, S. E. 

 came on, and a dense black cloud appeared in the 

 southern horizon, which rapidly arose into the ze- 

 nith, and shrouded one-half of the heavens. The 

 commixture of this dense air with the cold wind 

 from the N., produced a copious discharge of snow. 

 When the snow ceased, though we were nearly be- 

 calmed, we observed several ships a few miles to the 

 south-eastward, under close-reefed topsails, having 

 evidently a gale of wind blowing in the direction of 

 the swell. About two hours afterwards, the south- 

 erly wind reached us, and, as we stood to the eastward, 

 gradually increased to a gale. On returning towards 

 the ice, however, at 5 p. m., the wind again subsid- 

 ed, so that when we came within four or five miles 

 of it, the sky cleared, and we were again becalmed. 



