OF THE POLAR SEA. 17 
water at the surface from 44° to 42°. A small 
pine-tree was picked up much shattered by the 
ice. In the afternoon of the 30th, a very dense 
fog came on; and, about six P.M., when sailing 
before a diech breeze, we were suddenly involved 
in a heavy stream of ice. Considerable difficulty 
was experienced in steering through the narrow 
channels between the different masses in this 
foggy weather, and the ship received several 
severe blows. 
The water, as usual in the centre of the stream, 
was quite smooth, but we heard the waves beating 
violently against the outer edge of the ice. .There 
was some earthy matter on several of the pieces, 
and the whole body bore the appearance of re- 
cent separation from the land. In the space of 
two hours we again got into the open sea, but 
had left our two consorts far behind; they 
followed our track by the guns we discharged. 
The temperature of the surface water was 35° 
when amongst the ice, 38° when just clear of it, 
and 41.5° at two miles distant. 
On the 4th of August, when in latitude 59° 58° 
N., longitude 59° 53’ W., we first fell in with 
large icebergs ; and in the evening were encom- 
passed by several of considerable magnitude, 
which obliged us to tack the ship in order to 
prevent our getting entangled amongst them. 
Vou. I. Cc 
