Landing effected on an ice-island. ANTARCTIC CRUISE. Health of the crew re-established. 145 



that first discovered, and had the appearance of 

 being bound by perpendicular icy cliff's. 



14th. At daylight we again made sail for the land, 

 beating in for it until 1 1 A.M., when we found any 

 further progress quite impossible. I then judged 

 that it was seven or eight miles distant. The day 

 was remarkably clear, and the land very distinct. 

 By measurement, we made the extent of coast of 

 the Antarctic Continent, which was then in sight, 

 seventy-five miles, and by approximate measure- 

 ment, three thousand feet high. It was entirely 

 covered with snow. Longitude at noon, 106 18' 42" 

 E., latitude 65 59' 40" S., variation 57 5' wes- 

 terly. On running in, we had passed several ice- 

 bergs greatly discoloured with earth, and finding 

 we could not approach the shore any nearer, I 

 determined to land on the largest ice-island that 

 seemed accessible, to make dip, intensity, and 

 variation observations. On coming up with it, 

 about one and a half mile from where the barrier 

 had stopped us, I hove the ship to, lowered the 

 boats, and fortunately effected a landing. We 

 found embedded in it, in places, boulders, stones, 

 gravel, sand, and mud or clay. The larger speci- 

 mens were of red sandstone and basalt No signs 

 of stratification were to be seen in it, but it was in 

 places formed of icy conglomerate (if 1 may use 

 the expression), composed of large pieces of rocks, 

 as it were frozen together, and the ice was extremely 

 hard and flint-like. The largest boulder embedded 

 in it was about five or six feet in diameter, but 

 being situated under the shelf of the iceberg, we 

 were not able to get at it. Many specimens were 

 obtained, and it was amusing to see the eagerness 

 and desire of all hands to possess themselves of a 

 piece of the Antarctic Continent. These pieces 

 were in great demand during the remainder of 

 the cruise. In the centre of this iceberg was 

 found a pond of most delicious water, over which 

 was a scum of ice about ten inches thick. We 

 obtained from it about five hundred gallons. We 

 remained upon this iceberg several hours, and the 

 men amused themselves to their hearts' content iu 

 sliding. The pond was three feet deep, extending 

 over an area of an acre, and contained sufficient 

 water for half-a-dozen ships. The temperature of 

 the water was 31. This island had been un- 

 doubtedly turned partly over, and had precisely 

 the same appearance that the icy barrier would 

 have exhibited if it had been turned bottom up 

 and subsequently much worn by storms. There 

 was no doubt that it had been detached from the 

 land, which was about eight miles distant. 



Around the iceberg we found many species of 

 zoophytes, viz. salpee, a beautiful specimen of 

 clio helicina, some large pelagic, and many small 

 Crustacea. I made several drawings of them. This 

 day, notwithstanding our disappointment in being 

 still repelled from treading on the new continent, 

 was spent with much gratification, and gave us 

 many new specimens from it. 



Finding that we had reached the longitude of 

 105 E., before the time anticipated, and being 

 desirous to pursue the discoveries further west, I 

 left a signal flying on this berg, with a bottle 

 containing instructions .for the other vessels, 

 directing them to proceed to the westward as 

 far as they could, in the time which should 

 remain prior to the 1st of March. At 8 P.M. we 

 joined the ship, and bore away again to the west- 



ward, intending to pursue the route pointed out to 

 them. 



On the 15th we passed many icebergs much 

 discoloured with earth, stones, &c., none of which 

 appeared of recent formation. The. weather this 

 day became lowering, and tlje breeze fresh ; we 

 double-reefed the topsails, and made every thing 

 snug: the wind was from the south ward. At noon 

 this day we were in longitude 104 E., latitude 

 64 6' S. The sea had been remarkably smooth 

 the last few days, with no swell; and I began to 

 entertain the idea that we might have a large body 

 of ice to the northward of us; for the position 

 where Cook found the barrier in 1773 was two 

 hundred miles further to the north. 1 determined, 

 however, to pass on in our explorations, hoping 

 they might enable me to join that of Enderby's 

 Land. I deemed it a great object actually to 

 prove the continuity with it if possible; and if dis- 

 appointed in this, I should at any rate ascertain 

 whether there had been any change in the ice in 

 this quarter, since the time of Cook, which had 

 been done already near his Ne Plus Ultra. 



We had a vast number of whales about us this 

 day, as well as penguins, Cape pigeons, white and 

 gray, and small and large petrels. Some seals also 

 were seen. 



1 was now happy to find the health of my crew 

 had become re-established, and that only a few 

 remained on the sick-list. This, I think was 

 effected by constant attention to their being warmly 

 clothed. 



The icebergs were covered with penguins. Se- 

 veral officers landed on the icebergs to get a few 

 as specimens. On their return, some penguins fol- 

 lowed them closely, particularly one, who at last 

 leaped into the boat. It was supposed that its 

 mate had been among those taken, and that it had 

 followed on that account. If this were the fact, 

 it would show a remarkable instinctive affection in 

 this bird. 



On the 16th, the barrier of ice trended to the 

 northward, and we were obliged to haul to the 

 north-east, passing through a large number of ice- 

 islands, many of which were stained with earth. 

 In the afternoon a large sea-elephant was dis- 

 covered on the ice; two boats were sent to effect 

 his capture, and many balls were fired into him, 

 but he showed the utmost indifference to their 

 effect, doing no more than to raise his head at each 

 shot. He contrived to escape by floundering over 

 the ice until he reached the water, hi which he 

 was quite a different being. At about 7 P.M., Dr. 

 Fox was despatched in a boat to visit an ice-island 

 that was very much discoloured with clay in 

 patches. He reported that there was upon it a 

 large pond of muddy water, not frozen, although 

 the temperature on board was much below the 

 freezing point. We observed around the icebergs 

 numerous right whales, puffing in all directions. 

 A large quantity of small Crustacea, including 

 shrimps, were here seen around the icebergs. 

 These are believed to be the, cause that attracts 

 whales to these parts; they also supply the nume- 

 rous penguins with then: food. For several days 

 I observed a great difference in the wind, by day 

 and by night. It had been fresh from the hour of 

 seven in the morning until 8 P.M., when it generally 

 becomes light or dies away altogether. To-day we 

 found oui'selves in longitude 99 E., and latitude 



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