2'i2 FROM kotzebue's sound 



never had on the American coast with this wind. 

 During the night we had approached the Asiatic 

 coast ; the depth had regularly increased to 31 

 fathoms, and the temperature of the air had changed 

 to such a degree, that it seemed as if we were sud- 

 denly removed from a warm climate into a cold 

 one. The thermometer, which, on the American 

 coast, had stood from nine to ten degrees at noon, 

 stood here only at + 5° j the water was also sensibly 

 colder, which probably arises from the high icy 

 country : we always found the barometer lower 

 here than in America. The direction of the cur- 

 rent was always N. E. in Beering*s Straits, and 

 stronger on the Asiatic coast than on the Ameri- 

 can. A number of whales and morse, which played 

 about us, afforded us a sight that we never had 

 there. The latter have a very singular appearance 

 in the water ; as they hold their heads perpendicu- 

 larly above the surface, their disproportionably long 

 teeth stand quite horizontal. In the morning I 

 observed very dark blue spots, which were distin- 

 guished from the colour of the water. For fear of 

 running on a shoal, I had the lead heaved, and we 

 found this spot was occasioned by an innumerable 

 multitude of small marine animals. At three o'clock 

 P. M. the fog dispersed, and East Cape lay at a 

 distance of twelve miles before us to the S. W. 45°. 

 Though the south wind obliged us to tack, yet we 

 hoped to make good way, as the sea was calm. At 

 seven o'clock P. M., East Cape was S. W. 17°, 



17 



