214 AMONGST THE SOUTHERN ICE. 



On one occasion, as we were approaching the pack ice, some 

 distant bergs were seen to assume a most intense black colour. 

 This was due to their being thrown in shade by clouds passing 

 between them and the sun, and the heightening of this effect 

 by the contrast with brilliantly lighted up bergs around them. 

 They looked like rocks of basalt. 



On February 15th, a remarkable twilight effect was seen 

 to the southward at about 10 p.m. A narrow band or line of 

 dazzling bright yellow light shone out through a long narrow 

 gap intervening between the lower edge of a densely dark cloud 

 bank and the equally dark, almost black, horizon line. The 

 horizon line was uneven, showing minute black projections or 

 jags, due to hummocky pack ice. 



The distant flat-topped icebergs showed out black and sharp, 

 with rectangular outlines against the bright band, and some of 

 their dark bodies joined the dark cloud line to the dark horizon 

 line, bridging over the band of light. The whole effect was 

 very curious, and drew all on deck to gaze at it. 



We frequently enjoyed the sight of brilliant red sunsets. 

 Then the bergs directly between the observer and the illumi- 

 nated sky show a hard, almost black outline. Those lying on 

 the horizon, right and left of the setting sun, reflect the light 

 from their entire faces, or from those parts of their faces which 

 lie at the necessary angle. Hence, bright red bergs, and also 

 fantastic red forms, due to reflection from very uneven surfaces, 

 appear on the horizon. Those that are nearer take a salmon 

 tint. 



In one remarl-ably brilliant sunset, the sun just before its 

 lower limb reached the horizon was of a brilliant golden-yellow, 

 and lit up the spars and shrouds of the ship with a dazzling light. 

 Later on, the horizon became excessively dark. Above it was 

 a streak of golden light, succeeded by a band of green sky, 

 the two colours being separated by a narrow horizontal violet 

 cloud. Above the green were dark clouds lighted up with 

 bright crimson at the edges. The bergs reflected the crimson 

 and yellow light, and assumed the brightest hues. 



Bergs in the far distance, in ordinary daylight, when lighted 

 up often have a pinkish tinge, and then look remarkably like 

 land. The deception is very complete. No doubt Commodore 

 Wilkes was deceived by it. Bergs often also, from the presence 

 of deep shadows, have the appearance of having rocks upon 

 them when they have not. 



We entered the ice rather unexpectedly, on February 13th. 

 I was on deck at 11.30 p.m. Two icebergs were then in sight 

 ahead, only just visible in the dim foggy haze. They became 

 gradually more plain, and then a berg was reported right ahead. 



