THE POLAR SEAS. 55 



yolcanic mountain presented itself, rising twelve thousand feet above 

 the level of the sea, which emitted name and smoke in splendid 

 profusion. The flanks of this gigantic mountain were clothed with 

 snow almost to the mouth of the crater from which the flaming smoke 

 issued. At a short distance, Eoss discovered the cone of an extinct, 

 or, at least, inactive volcano nearly as lofty. He gave to these two 

 volcanoes the names of his vessels, Erebus and Terror (Fig. 9) 

 names perfectly in harmony with the surrounding desolation. The 



Fig. 9. Mounts Erebus and Terror. 



ice-covered cliffs rose about a hundred and ninety feet high, and 

 appear to be about three hundred feet deep, soundings being found at 

 about four hundred fathoms. In the distance, towards the south, a 

 range of lofty mountains were observed, which Eoss named Mount 

 Parry, in honour of his old commander. When Eoss retraced his 

 steps, the expedition had advanced as far as the seventy-ninth degree 

 of south latitude. 



It may be said of polar countries, that they form a transition state 



