VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 45 



of treble size nearer the deck ; top-sails used for ly- 

 ins-to should be made of stouter canvass than usual. 



22d, The Greenland fleet in sight. 



23d, Eighteen sail in company. Lay-to about 

 three quarters of an hour to get some fresh water 

 ice, which is known from that of salt' water by its 

 crystalline transparency, theother being very opaque. 

 We occasionally brought large pieces of it on board 

 in a boat, which were piled upon the deck to serve 

 as water for the use of the men, and had also a hogs- 

 head filled with it for the tea-water in the cabin. 



24th, Several showers of snow. To-day we 

 passed that solitary spot called Bear, or Cherry 

 Island, in Lat. 74° 30' N. Long. 19° 5' E. The 

 surface of this island is mountainous, craggy, and 

 dreary in its aspect ; exhibiting in some places a 

 scene of black, stupendous precipices ; and in others 

 lofty eminences covered with snow. 



The ears of people approaching this island are 

 incessantly assailed with the sounds of the impetu- 

 ous waves dashing against the rugged shores ; the 

 crashing collision of floating ice ; the discordant 

 notes of innumerable birds ; the barking of arctic 

 foxes ; the snorting of walruses*, and the dreadful 

 rqaring of the polar bears. 



* These animals have been found here, lying huddled together, 

 a thousand in a heap. 



