FiiriJiest Southing. — Decj) Snoiv. 325 



of scientific investigation, the vessel was carried as far south 

 as the parallel of 60°. 



On 28th May, the thermometer was observed to indicate 

 a strongly-marked and speedy decline in the temperatm^e of 

 the water, whence it was conjectm-ed that polar winds would 

 be found following the course of the cold current, or else that 

 icebergs were near. The ship's head was now laid for Terra 

 del Fuego, the wind blowing very gently from the N.E., 

 but a S. wind springing up later, she began to work merrily 

 along. Of several ships which for some days had been in sight, 

 steering the same course as the frigate, none had ventured 

 so far south ; they now were all left behind, having lost way 

 by over-caution. Among these was the French corvette 

 Eurydice, which left Valparaiso Roads two days before the 

 Novara, and was overhauled on the 29th May. 



With the polar wind snow fell during the night; and 

 when day broke, about 9 a.m., the singular spectacle was 

 presented of a ship all in white, — white masts, white yards, 

 white cannon. This ajipearance was repeated the two fol- 

 lowing days only, but the weather remained for a much 

 longer period cold and disagreeable. The lowest reading, 

 however, of the thermometer only indicated 3° Celsius below 

 freezing (26°. 6 Fahr.). 



On 29th May, about noon, the Novara crossed the meridian 

 of Cape Horn, and was once more in the Atlantic Ocean. 

 Notwithstanding the uncertain conditions of wind and wea- 



