408 ACCOUNT OF THE AKCTIC REGIONS. 



S. E., heavy southerly swell, and a constant fall of 

 snow, consisting of the most beautiful crystals I 

 ever saw. The day following, we joined several 

 ships, when the weather was calm and the sea fal- 

 len. We now were informed, that, while we en- 

 joyed fine weather in the latitude of 80", the ships 

 in the 79th degree of latitude, during two days, 

 had experienced a most tremendous storm ; in con- 

 sequence of which, some whales that had been kill- 

 ed before the gale came on, were lost, and four ships 

 that were driven into the ice, were wrecked. 



It is almost needless to allude to the sudden gusts 

 and various currents of wind which occur at some 

 elevation in the atmosphere, since they are common 

 to all climates. As, however, it is connected with 

 this part of my subject, it may not be amiss to quote 

 a single instance. On a particularly fine day, my 

 Father having landed on the northern part of Char- 

 les' Island, incited by the same curiosity which led 

 him on shore, ascended, though not without great 

 difficulty and fatigue, a considerable elevation, the 

 summit of which was not broader than a common 

 table, and which shelved on one side as steep as the 

 roof of a house, and on the other formed a mural 

 precipice. Engaged in admiring the extensive pro- 

 spect from an eminence of about 2000 feet, he scarce- 

 ly noticed the advance of a very small cloud. Its ra- 

 pid approach and peculiar form, (having somewhat 

 the appearance of a hand,) at length excited his at- 



