90 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



noon, it rose now higlier every minute. Eleven o'clock, 

 still sailing ! but very slowly, till the wind died away 

 entirely." 



The 14th of August, in 74° 45.4' N.L., and 13° 56-5' 

 W.L. At nine in the evening soundings were taken, 

 and a depth of 120 fathoms found. The ground was mud ; 

 the dredging-nets were full of sponges, polythalamias, 

 and so forth. Another on the 16tli in 74° 38' N.L. and 

 14° 34' W.L., at noon gave 100 fathoms ; the ground 

 was brown slime. In the evening several attempts were 

 made with the dredge. The first brought up a beautiful 

 sponge, in the cavities of which were many fine and 

 beautiful amphipoda ; besides a great deal of sand and 

 fine slime, in which by sifting we found countless bivalves 

 and snails, {Terehratulce, Serjjularice) ; and some beautiful 

 polythalamias, &c. A second and third attempt was 

 followed by no result. 



It freezes visibly, and the fresh ice uniting the floes is 

 already so thick that it can bear a man. "We re- 

 mained," says Dr. Laube, " with every sail set between 

 the great, thick ice-packs, having advanced upon the 

 whole three ship's-lengths westward. In the evening 

 we distinctly saw land towering above the ice ; the re- 

 fraction showing us a solid barrier to the north. To 

 the east the ice lies just as thickly packed. Two- 

 thirds of the way happily lay behind us, but the last 

 third seemed to be beset by insurmountable difiiculties. 

 To what purpose was all our labour ? I thought of those 

 at home, who only admit imaginary difficulties in the ice, 

 and who, perhaps, doubt our good will, our self-sacrifice, 

 and our sincere endeavours. I did not go to rest that 

 night with the best and quietest of thoughts. We were 



