106 VOYAGE TO SPITZBERGEN. 



creasing as the distance from the Pole diminishes, 

 does not appear to have any foundation. According 

 to Captain Phipps, 



In Lat. 78° 22' N. Long. 9° 8' E. Mean var. was 14° 55' 



79 50 .... 102 20 3 



80 30 . . . . 15 4 11 56 



On referring to the Appendix, it will be seen 

 that the variation, as observed in the Sybyll, in 

 lat. 78° 11', long. 6° 55' E. amounted to 19° 6'. 

 And by the same excellent observations, combined 

 with those of Captain Flinders, it is proved that 

 the variation depends more on the ship's course 

 than on any thing else. It is much to be regretted 

 that Captain Phipps did not mention the course his 

 ship was under when he made his observations on 

 the variation. As they stand at present, they want 

 the most essential element. 



8th, Latitude, by observation, 79° 42'. Sea 

 nearly clear of ice. Course W. S. W. i S. At 

 seven P. M. we discovered Hackluyt's Headland, 

 bearing E. N. E. distant four or five leagues. The 

 weather was hazy, and we had but an indistinct 

 view of this black precipitous promontory. Saw 

 several whales, but got none. 



June 9th, Intense frost. Observed the freezing 

 of salt water. Shot two seals, one of which only 

 we brought on board. 



