128 WITHIN THE ARCTIC CIRCLE. 



against jumping to the opposite extreme. The dark 

 side of the picture is in reality out of all proportion 

 to the light. And we do not hesitate to state our 

 confirmed opinion, that the arctic regions are more 

 interesting to read about than pleasant to dwell in. 



Having, then, defended the lights, let us com- 

 mence our investigations with the shadows. 



Those oceans lying within the arctic circle ex- 

 hibit 'phenomena so grand, so wonderful, and so 

 varied, that they claim distinct and separate treat- 

 ment from the ocean as a whole. Here the extreme 

 cold acts with such power, and produces such ex- 

 traordinary results, that it is difficult to find words 

 or similes by which to convey a just conception of 

 nature's aspects to the general reader. 



During nearly two-thirds of the year the arctic 

 regions are under the absolute dominion of winter; 

 and for many weeks of that bitter season they are 

 shrouded with the mantle of a dark, sunless night. 

 The entire ocean is locked in the embrace of a 

 covering of ice many feet thick, so that its liquid 

 aspect is thoroughly removed; and, owing to ice- 

 masses scattered over its surface, together with 

 mounds of drifted snow, it bears a much stronger 

 resemblance to the land than to the sea. Gales of 

 wind sometimes sweep over those frozen plains in 

 bitter fury, hurling the snow into the air in vast 

 eddying masses, and threatening destruction to any 

 living creature that may chance to be exposed to 

 them not so much from their violence, however, 



