298 THE GEliMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



average temperature being not many degrees above 

 freezing point. 



On the evening of the 19th of August the wind 

 dropped, the ice opened again, and we were soon lying 

 in open water, and able to keep up communication with 

 the shore. 



We made observations on the current the next day, 

 and sent men on shore to hunt for food ; they returned 

 with some musk-oxen which they had killed. Payer also 

 came on board. 



August 21 . Weather warm and foggy. Snowfall in the 

 afternoon with a light wind from the north-east, in con- 

 sequence of which we were prevented from continuing our 

 labours on shore. Meanwhile we made preparations for 

 further excursions on the island, and for a stay of some 

 days for our scientific staff, as our captain intended to 

 sail westward in order to ascertain the condition of the 

 land-ice, and gain a general view of the ice from the high 

 mountains on Klein-Pendulum. There was no prospect 

 as yet of getting further north from the eastward of 

 Shannon. The passage had, in fact, become narrowed ; 

 and from the east the pack had begun to settle nearer in 

 to shore. 



After landing the scientific staff with the necessary 

 crew, and a boat in case of necessity, at noon on the 

 22ud, with a light north wind, we steered westward along 

 the solid land-ice. Somewhat broken in the edges, the ice 

 here slightly changed its aspect and showed signs of 

 breaking-up. On the eastern side of Klein-Pendulum 

 the ice remained solidly firm, and it was only on the 

 southern side that we found open water for anchorage. 



Next day a fresh breeze sprang up from the north, with 



