302 THE GERMAN AllCTlC EXPEDITION. 



ancliored at eleven p.m. under Stufenberg, in four 

 fathoms. 



On tlie following days the weather was fine and clear, 

 with light north and west winds, so that the labours 

 of the astronomers in determining our locality, as well 

 as observations regarding the magnetic influences and 

 current, together with Lieutenant Payer's work, made 

 good and rapid progress. Dr. Pansch, whose arm was 

 now almost well, had resumed his active labours in 

 the cause of science, and examined the remains of the 

 Esquimaux huts which were discovered under the Stufen- 

 berg, and formed botanical collections. The island, 

 partly barren, and clothed with scanty vegetation, was 

 explored in all directions. Whenever time allowed we 

 went out shooting, but, with the exception of a few 

 Arctic hares, brought back no game. The position of 

 the ice was constantly *watched from the mountains, 

 and on the loth of August Payer reported that, upon 

 the whole, its position had not altered ; also that the 

 young ice between Shannon and Pendulum Islands had 

 not disappeared ; and that that lying to the north-east 

 of Shannon was quite firm. 



Accordingly, when the work on Klein-Pendulum was 

 finished, we sailed on the 1st of September to the small 

 harbour on the south side of Sabine Island, in order to 

 start on a lengthy excursion to the mainland. The 

 nights were now growing darker and darker, the forma- 

 tion of the young ice proceeded rapidly, so much so that 

 nothing but a strong wind could break it. The weather, 

 which during the whole of our stay on the coast had 

 been particularly tranquil and fine, began now to be 

 unsettled and stormy. On the night of the 2nd of Sep- 



