234 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. February 



was far from being an unnatural one ; and, indeed, il 

 the removal of the ice, formed during the nine winter 

 months, between September and May, while the tem- 

 perature of the air is below the freezing point of salt 

 water, were dependent alone on the decay caused by 

 the heat of the sun during the three months of summer, 

 the ice in the Polar sea would certainly accumulate 

 and effectually prevent any navigation. 



The due balance in the quantity of ice in the North 

 Polar sea is preserved, and navigation rendered possible, 

 by the drifting southward of the pack to a more tem- 

 perate region, there to dissolve, leaving navigable water 

 spaces in its rear. There is also a considerable amount 

 of decay produced by the warmth transported north- 

 wards by the oceanic currents. 



It is only in narrow channels, where, in consequence 

 of the contraction in the breadth of the stream, the 

 tidal currents run at a maximum rate, that the ice 

 dissolves in situ during the summer. In such places as 

 Eobeson and Kennedy Channels and Bellot Straits, 

 the ice forms late in the season, and owing to its 

 weakness, is more readily broken up during heavy 

 gales ; consequently polynias or water-pools are met 

 with on rare occasions throughout the winter, and 

 during the early summer the thin ice decays before 

 the surrounding ice has broken up. 



1 Yesterday we experienced a decided musky taste 

 in the musk-ox meat. Up to the present time, 

 although there have been a few complaints, the meat 

 has been excellent. I heard through my steward that 

 the ship's company's allowance was tainted. Thinking 

 that there might be a prejudice against the meat, I 



