Chapter VII. 



UPERXIVIK AND MELVILLE BAY. 



HURSDAY, June 6th. — Snow has fallen 

 without intermission during the last 

 forty-eight hours ; but this does not in 

 any way impede our progress. Yes- 

 terday, at noon, we passed Omenak fiord, a famous 

 place for icebergs, which, having been discharged 

 from the glaciers scattered on both sides, accumu- 

 late at its entrance. The Danish settlement of 

 Omenak is some little distance up the fiord. After 

 threading our way through intricate passages caused 

 by these floating ice-islands, on some of which, in 

 consequence of the thick weather that prevailed, we 

 were nearly coming to grief, only avoiding collision 

 by extreme watchfulness and caution, we passed 

 Swarte-huk ; * and black enough appeared the land 

 during the few short glimpses that we obtained. 

 It was most tantalizing our being unable to enjoy 

 what must really be grand and interesting scenery ; 



1 Black Cape. 



