TO THE ARCTIC REGIONS. 105 
this day, it was impossible to know which way to 
steer amongst the ice, which, during these two days, 
has, as far as we could see, surrounded us in every 
direction. Our chief occupation, therefore, during 
this period, was sounding; and by means of a 
small net, anda dredge occasionally fastened to the 
deep-sea-line, a great variety of small shells and 
star-fish were brought up from the bottom. About 
five o’clock this afternoon, however, we found em- 
ployment more congenial to our wishes, for the 
weather having at that time cleared up, we cast off 
from a floe to which we had been fast, and made sail 
to the westward, round the south end of the island 
on which we landed two days ago. 
Tuesday, 31st.—We made fast to a floe of ice again 
last night and remained there until nine o’clock this 
forenoon, when we cast off and made sail as near as 
we could judge to the westward. I have said as near 
as we could judge, for it was impossible to tell with 
certainty which way we went, the weather being 
so hazy the whole day that the sun was never seen 
distinctly ; but we were able, for most part of the 
time, to distinguish the direction he was in from the 
brightness of that part of the heavens, and directed 
our course accordingly, as the compasses had for 
some days past been agajn quite useless, their north 
point being invariably directed towards the ship’s 
head in whatever direction it happened to be. 
At night, then, when the sun went down (for he 
sets now for a short time) and left us as it were without 
any means of knowing our way, necessity suggested 
a plan to steer by, which deserves to be remembered, 
inasmuch as it is one of the best proofs of the truth 
