1875 THE GREENLAND ICE-STREAM. 7 



fulmars and great shearwaters were numerous, and 

 also a darker and somewhat smaller species (Puffinus 

 griseus). The next day a large dead whale {Balcena 

 mysticetus) was seen, floating on its back. 



On the 27th, as we approached the cold ice-bearing 

 current which sweeps round Cape Farewell towards 

 the north, we experienced a thick fog, the temperature 

 of the air being from 42° to 36°, and the water 40°. 



A fresh northerly wind springing up gave me a 

 good opportunity to stand in towards the land to 

 ascertain the distance of the outer edge of the ice-stream 

 from the shore. As the wind freshened the fog cleared 

 off, and Ave fell in with the ice in lat. 59° 33' N., long. 

 49° O'W., the pack being apparently close and unnavi- 

 gable. The differ ence in the temperature of the water 

 may be taken as a certain guide to denote the neigh- 

 bourhood of the ice-stream. 



Ten miles outside of the ice-stream the temperature 

 of the sea- water was as follows : — 



Surface 40°'5 



5 fathoms 40° 



15 ....... . 38°-5 



22 „ 38° 



At the edge of the ice the surface water was 39°, and 

 amongst the floes themselves it was 38°. Near the land 

 it is stated by Graah to be never warmer than 34°, the 

 cold water therefore hugs the shore line of South 

 Greenland. 



The temperature of the sea ranging from 34° to 38°, 

 being from four to eight degrees above the melting 

 point of salt-water ice, the floes in its neighbourhood 



