132 Report of the Brown-Harvard Expedition. 



water, distorting the horizon, or as a thin streak above the 

 calm surface between us and some not far-off island. 

 Schooners and icebergs frequently thus appeared doubled or 

 tripled, 'in the latter case with the middle image inverted; 

 and with the images sometimes overlapping or sometimes 

 placed one high above the other. During a portion of the 

 season ice-floes are abundant, adding greatly to the pic- 

 turesque appearance of the sea. For the most part, they are 

 low and flat, composed of pans of various sizes that may be 

 crowded closely together, or at other times dot the water 

 only here and there. Occasionally they are higher, and are 

 then curiously carven by sun and sea into varied shapes, 

 abounding in caves and pillars and overhanging shelves. 

 The green of this ice when seen through the water, the 

 deep transparent blue of its unsubmerged fresh surfaces, and 

 the pure dazzling whiteness of all portions that have been 

 exposed longer to the air, fully justify the enthusiasm of 

 those who have described its coloring. Icebergs may be 

 met with at almost any time and in any number. Their lofty, 

 rugged shapes and great masses are full of variety and im- 

 pressiveness. On sunny days the kittiwakes and other sea 

 fowl may be seen resting on their sides. Once, as we drove 

 rapidly through thick weather, the fog cleared suddenly and 

 revealed an enormous castellated berg almost directly in our 

 path, standing out against a rough, rocky island; and on 

 many other occasions we met them, though rarely under such 

 picturesque circumstances. 



In the evening the phosphorescence of the water is often 

 very marked and striking. The ship moved through streaks 

 of cold fire and left a burning sea in its wake. Fish awakened 

 by the disturbance darted ofT, invisible themselves, but leav- 



