266 THE GERMAN AKCTIC EXPEDITION. 



no longer to be seen ; to tlie south-west we saw a whaler 

 in the drift-ice. We had already seen this ship in the 

 morning, and, as it was our last chance of sending news 

 home, had hastened to finish our letters. It was a curious 

 sight ; everywhere and in every possible position we were 

 busy writing; the ship might have been taken for an 

 academy of science in which all were working out a 

 difficult problem. As we approached we saw that it was 

 a steamer, and from its red and white flag, must be the 

 Bienenkorb, Captain Hagen, belonging to Mr. Rosenthal 

 of Bremerhaven. Dr. Dorst of Jlilich was on this vessel 

 taking meteorological, astronomical and magnetic observa- 

 tions. We crossed to her, taking with us a whole packet 

 , of letters. It was indeed a pleasure to us to be once more 

 amongst other men, and doubtless those of the Bienen- 

 korb thought the same. This ship was five times as 

 big as the Germania, a somewhat old-fashioned craft, full 

 rigged, and had only had machinery within the last few 

 years. On deck in a large cage was a bear and her two 

 cubs ; fortunately for them, on board a whaler they were 

 not likely to want for food. 



One would think that a creature so powerful and active 

 could never be taken alive, but on its hunting expeditions 

 among the drift-ice it frequently trusts itself to the water, 

 and here in spite of its endurance, man is more active 

 and clever, and with a well managed boat, a lucky cast 

 of the noose generally falls on the neck of the swimming 

 bear, when half dragged and half swimming he is hoisted 

 on deck like any other animal, the noose round its neck 

 being a guarantee for its peaceful behaviour. On their 

 return they are generally sold to some menagerie or Zoolo- 

 gical Garden, the price of a full-grown animal being 100 

 or 150 thalers; sometimes they are killed and skinned. 



