114 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



that we are in the vicinity of land ; saw, in the course of the 

 afternoon, several whales, and a flock of petrels of a species 

 different from any heretofore observed by us. For the past 

 three hours appearances have been visible both to the south- 

 east and southwest which very much resemble mountains.* 



January 20th. Last night we witnessed a magnificent 

 Aurora Australis. It rose in the south a sort of semi-arch 

 of light and then across the heavens in almost every direc- 

 tion, darted columns of a luminous character. The light was 

 so bright that we could see to read the finest print with ease. 

 In half an hour it had all disappeared. The weather is still 

 mild. Saw several sperm-whales, and a flock of ice-pigeons, 

 of which we were fortunate enough to obtain specimens. 



January 22d. At 3 P. M. the wind came out from the 

 southward. Towards noon we stood along a line of icebergs, 

 the surface of which was of a yellowish color. We also re- 

 marked about the same time, that the water had become very 

 much discolored. A flock of ducks were also seen. Latitude 

 in at noon 66 12' 26" south, longitude 149 44' 00" east. 

 Temperature of air 25, water 31. After sunset the wind 

 shifted again to the southward and westward. 



January 23d. The weather continues mild and pleasant. 

 At 12.30 P. M. tacked ship to the southward and eastward to 

 clear the "barrier" of ice, which bore east-by-south. At 

 2 P. M. a large, deep bay showed itself to the southward, 

 which we entered, and soon after observed appearances of 

 land, both to the eastward and westward. By midnight we 

 again reached the " barrier," and therefore were compelled to 

 stand back. Numerous birds were seen about the ship. 



* The same appearances were observed by the " Peacock " and the " Porpoise," and 

 It is now fully established that they were high land, and formed a part of the An- 

 tarctic continent discovered by the Expedition. 



