OBSERVED IN THE GREENLAND SEA. .^03 



on the 28th of June, were elevated to twice their proper 

 height,,and others compressed almost to a line. Hummocks of 

 ice here and there were surprisingly enlarged ; and every pro- 

 ment object, in a. proper position^ was either magnified or dis- 

 torted. These appearances, though often visible to the naked 

 eye, were not generally very, striking; but when examined 

 through a telescope, they presented an ever-varying scene of 

 the most interesting imagery. Most of the phenomena now 

 mentioned were seen on the 16th of July, at five o'clock in 

 the afternoon. A stratus was then observed in the east, ex- 

 tending, north-about, as far as the north-west. In the latter 

 quarter, including the azimuth of the sun, the sky was whitish 

 .and resplendent, so that the fog was concealed in the general 

 glare. 



Another instance of curious refraction will only be mention- 

 ed. This occurred on the 18th of July, under similar circum- 

 stances of weather, &c. as those already described. The sky 

 was clear. The tremulous vapour was particularly sensible 

 and profuse, though perfectly transparent. The temperature 

 of the air at 9 a. m., the time when the phenomenon was first 

 noticed, was 42° ; but in the evening preceding it must have 

 been greatly lower, as the sea was in many places covered with 

 a considerable pellicle of new ice. Such a circumstance, in 

 the very warmest part of the year, must be considered as very 

 extraordinary, especially when it is known, that ten degrees 

 farther to the north, no freezing of the sea, at this season, that 

 I am aware of, has ever been observed. The latitude of the 

 ship was at this time 71° 20' N., the longitude 17° 30' W. 

 Having approached, on this occasion^ so near the unexplored 

 shore of Greenland, that the land appeared distinct and bold, 

 I was wishful to obtain a drawing of it; but on making the at- 



v.OL. IX. p. II. Q q tempt. 



