208 



VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. 



December 



attains any great thickness, and has always disappeared 

 by evaporation on the following day. 



' In September and October it was far otherwise. 

 Each rope — even the perpendicular ones — became 

 incased in frosty ice, and increased to three or four 

 times its natural size. The absence of this now is 

 probably due to the great dryness of the atmosphere. 



' 17 th. — As the moon sank towards the northern 

 horizon a misty paraselena formed, of the usual diameter. 



PABASEI.ENA. 



Observing that the reflection was between us and the 

 land, I walked until it fell directly on the ship, my posi- 

 tion being 250 yards from the reflection. Objects at a 

 greater distance were mistily hidden from view by the 

 lighted part of the atmosphere ; while other objects 

 at the same distance, which were seen through the 

 same misty but unlightened atmosphere, were quite 

 distinct and presented sharp outlines. 



