136 THE SEAI.-r\M!'. 



or of an aperture formed by the disruption of the ice, 

 to which these animals constantly resort, cither for tin- 

 purpose of bathing or of procuring food. At a small 

 "Lager" each adult has, it is said, its own particular 

 "Brunn," hut at a large "Lager" five or six indh iduals 

 make use of the same. 



"When now the adventurers come to an ice-field, on 

 which there is reason to suppose there may be a " Lager," 

 they secure the boat as best they may, and, if it Im- 

 practicable, to leeward of it, as well for their own greater 

 security, in the event of a storm arising, as to prevent the 

 seals from getting wind of them. Should the ice-field, or 

 floe, be comparatively small, the whole crew, \\ ith the 

 exception of a single individual left to guard the boat, 

 proceed in a body to search it ; but if, on the contrary, it 

 be of great extent, two men are sent out to reconnoitre. 

 These are provisioned for a day or two, and provided, 

 moreover, with a " Snipa," as well to enable them to cross 

 any chasm in the ice they may meet with, as to visit the 

 ice-bergs that are drifting past. But even it unprovided 

 with a skitr.they are not altogether helpless; for, on coming 

 to a fissure in the ice, they with their axes, or otherwise, 

 will detach a portion of the ice on which they tlicniM-lvcs 

 are standing; and on this fragile raft, by the aid of their 

 harpoon-shafts, cross over the opening. And when it is 

 needful to their safety, as at times happens, that they 

 should ascertain the set of the current, they drop a small 

 piece of bread in a hole ilie\ thcm^-lvcs cut in the ice 

 for the purpose, the motion of which at once shows its 

 proper direction. 



\Vlien the " Lager " is found and for its discovery 

 they are mostly indebted cither to the ti-lcscopc, which 

 enables them to scan distant objects, or to the dogs, who 

 can often wind the seals from afar the whole party 

 proceed in the boat as near the scene of action :e- 



