438 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



sailors. Captain Koldewey remarks : " We put up the 

 telescope of the theodolite on a distant ice-block, and 

 let it stand for some time, in order to prove the motion of 

 the ice, if there was any; but the ice-block remained 

 stationary, as we fully expected, as the heavy sea ice 

 seemed to be closely joined to the land ice. Fully con- 

 vinced that perhaps never, or at least only in very 

 particularly favourable years, could any ship advance 

 along this coast, we set out on our return journey; the ice 

 gave one the impression of a rampart built for eternity. 

 With sledges it is possible, if the equipment is adequate, 

 and the strength of the Expedition is concentrated upon 

 them, to go considerably beyond 80° Lat. This is greatly 

 facilitated by the quantity of game, by which, to a certain 

 extent, the stock of provisions may be renewed. 



We got nine shots, and at half-past three p.m. began 

 our return to the tent. 



Captain Koldewey had finished his study of the situation 

 of the ice in the east, and Payer his work of land survey- 

 ing, and had collected some mosses, lichen, saxifrage, and 

 some specimens of granite, syenite, and hornblende-gneiss. 

 The greater part of our return journey was made under 

 increasing snow falls ; and soon after reaching the tent, 

 completely exhausted, the roaring north wind began, 

 interrupted by short periods of calm, until it rose to a 

 regular storm. 



From our critical position with regard to provisions 

 for our return journey to the ship we were in the mean- 

 time happily freed. Those who had been left behind in 

 the tent had succeeded in killing two musk oxen, which 

 on our return they triumphantly exhibited. Some willow, 

 gathered under difficulties, gave us plenty of fuel — and 



