Effects caused by Refraction. 47 



It is most interesting to watch the large masses 

 of ice crack, and in some cases crumble up, as the 

 ship comes into violent contact with them, and to 

 observe the masterly and skilful manner in which 

 the ship is handled by the captain, or officer sta- 

 tioned in the crow's nest. 



Thursday, May 22nd. — Our ill-luck continues to 

 remain with us. Every day we see fish, and the 

 boats are sent away in chase ; but the fish show 

 sufficient sense to make themselves scarce on the 

 approach of their would-be captors, and the boats 

 consequently always return unsuccessful. When 

 the ship is not in motion, one or two boats are 

 always kept manned by the watch on deck, which 

 lay off the edge of the ice, or where ordered, in 

 readiness to pursue a fish the instant it is seen. 

 This is called keeping a boat " on bran." We are 

 now, to our great delight, entirely by ourselves, the 

 remainder of the fleet having sought a fishing 

 ground further to the westward. Yesterday I ob- 

 served the wonderful distortion caused by refrac- 

 tion. The " Intrepid," which was hull down on the 

 horizon, probably about eight miles off, was drawn 

 out into an elongated and most fantastic shape. 

 Her funnel seemed to rise as high as her main-top- 

 gallant mast head, whilst her sails assumed the most 

 quaint and wonderful forms. Icebergs, also in the 

 distance, seemed to have no connexion with the 

 water, but appeared suspended as it were in mid air. 



