JOURNEY BY SLEDGE TO THE FLIGELY FJORD. 323 



tember, 5° Fahr.) Payer, Tramnitz, and Ellinger, took 

 the three hours' walk back to the coal strata, to find, if 

 possible, any petrifactions and imbedded substances. 

 Their trouble was richly rewarded. 



The discovery of a coal layer is, for the future in- 

 vestigation of G-reenland, of the greatest importance, as, 

 of all the necessaries of life, want of fuel is that which 

 would most prevent any long stay inland. 



Another interesting discovery was the trace of former 

 glaciers. There were smooth rocks, 170 feet above 

 the sea, and that in a valley perfectly free from ice, — 

 central and lateral moraines, with the sharp, charac- 

 teristic, longitudinal ridge, — and the mounds of debris and 

 peculiar stone-dust. Unfortunately, in sledge journeys, 

 hunger is a permanent discomfort ; and although we ate 

 plentifijlly and often of the reindeer, we were never 

 thoroughly satisfied, in consequence of the difficulty of 

 respiration. 



On the 21st of September we pulled, in 18° Fahr. and 

 through violently drifting snow, over the snowy desert to 

 Cape Berlin. After a short midday rest, and three 

 more hours of travelling, we neared the northern entrance 

 of Falsche Bay, where we passed the night. 



On the following day (21st September) we went on 

 foot over the young ice, to our winter quarters on board 

 ship, having travelled 133 J miles in all. 



Y 2 



