534 THE GERMAN ARCTIC EXPEDITION. 



survey. This was not reassuring. Closely-packed fields 

 and blocks lay to the north and east of us, so that for a 

 time advance seemed impossible, except at a dispropor- 

 tionate expenditure of coal. Beyond this ice, however, 

 to our great joy, as far as the horizon there was broad 

 open Avater, so that if only the shifting fields and blocks 

 moved from the land-ice we were sure of several miles' 

 clear passage. 



Upon the barren earth of the hillock, writes Dr. 

 Pansch, all was a desert, but beyond were well-developed 

 blooming plants of well-known species (Papaver, Pedi- 

 cularis, Saxifi'aga, Gerastium, and so on); there were also 

 several other plants, particularly a fine yellow- blossoming 

 mustard [Draba alpina, L.), and the Oxijria digyna (L.). 



On the shore were several pieces of driftwood. Of birds, 

 besides snow-buntings, . were a couple of burgomaster- 

 gulls (Larus glaucus, L.). Near the ship we saw later a 

 diver {Uria grylle) fishing, and a flock of sea-swallows 

 occasionally broke the stillness of the evening with their 

 querulous screams. 



Further southwards on the distant hills we recognized 

 some musk-oxen, and a fine bear walking quietly up and 

 down on the high, steep wall of land-ice, who did not 

 allow himself to be disturbed by the passing puffing of the 

 steamer. 



We kept a sharp look-out from the hills, and when in 

 the afternoon Mr. Sengstacke reported that the ice had 

 moved, we steamed forward along the edge of the land- 

 ice, which here made a sharp bend to the east. 



Too much attention cannot be drawn to the fact that 

 in Arctic regions, having once found a suitable way, a 

 little patience and energetic action, to turn every favour- 



