NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 187 



a sad termination. Mr. Osborn fell down a steep 

 declivity ten feet or more, and in his descent he 

 happened to strike a narrow, shelving piece of 

 rock, "just large enough," he said, "to stand 

 upon," which saved him from instant death. The 

 distance below him was more than one hundred 

 and fifty feet. 



The Orkney Islands are a famous resort for 

 fowls, which build their nests in the caverns of 

 perpendicular cliffs ; and individuals obtain eggs 

 in those places in the manner before described, 

 by letting down one and another from the top of 

 the cliff by means of ropes. 



A writer remarks, " I have heard of an indi- 

 vidual, who, either from choice or necessity, was 

 accustomed to go alone on these expeditions ; 

 supplying the want of confederates above by 

 firmly planting a stout iron bar in the earth, 

 from which he lowered himself. One day, hav- 

 ing found a cavern, he imprudently disengaged 

 the rope from his body, and entered the cave 

 with the end of it in his hand. In the eagerness 

 of collecting eggs, however, he slipped his hold 

 of the rope, which immediately swung out sev- 

 eral yards beyond his reach. The poor man was 

 struck with horror ; no soul was within hearing, 

 nor was it possible to make his voice heard in 

 such a position ; the edge of the cliff so projected 



