248 VOYAGE TO THE POLAR SEA. Februar 



bar is cut through, and the torrents again scoop out 

 the accumulated material, depositing it afresh in a 

 similar manner at a lower level. 



Thus in Grinnell Land we found at various eleva- 

 tions, to heights of 1,000 feet above the sea-shore, 

 convincing proofs that during the period which 

 represents this great elevation of the land, the same 

 fauna flourished as now exists in the Polar Sea, and 

 that the deposits alluded to were created under the 

 same physical conditions as are now present. 



c 27th. — The crew have lately been employed in 

 transporting the coal which was stacked on shore in 

 the autumn, on to the ice near the ship, ready for it 

 to be put on board during the summer. 



' 4 Although the sun is still absent, so bright is the 

 light at mid-day that on first descending to the lamp- 

 lit deck it is some time before the retina has accom- 

 modated itself to the change and enables us to see 

 our way. 



' At the usual Sunday's muster on the ice we all 

 remarked how quickly the pale complexions have 

 disappeared; one or two, however, are still rather 

 white. 



' 28th. — A beautiful day ; temperature miuus 48° 

 with a low mist, but a clear sky overhead. As the 

 sun would appear above the southern horizon by 

 refraction, a general holiday was given to enable all 

 hands to enjoy the sight. The mist, however, pre- 

 vented anyone being gratified. The crimson and 

 orange colours in the northern sky, resting above the 

 blue and purple tints near the horizon, were very 

 fine and almost made up for our loss. As usual with 



. 



