246 Soundings. 



stone, though I detected a small fragment of shell. 

 It seems to me rather inexplicable that the bottom 

 should consist of sandstone, whilst the land is com- 

 posed of limestone. The bottom I obtained at El- 

 wyn Inlet, at a depth of 190 fathoms, was limestone, 

 the same as the land. The ice appears not only to 

 be drifting to the southward, but also to be breaking 

 up, so I trust we may yet have a chance of pushing 

 up the inlet. I should have liked to have obtained 

 more soundings to-day, but the ship was going too 

 fast through the water. 



Thursday, August 7th. — We passed Fury Beach at 

 midnight last night, and I doubt very much whether 

 we shall go to the southward of it again. The cap- 

 tain kept us up and amused till past two this 

 morning, reciting Shakspeare, singing songs, per- 

 forming the showman, and indulging in various 

 other accomplishments too numerous to mention. 

 He has certainly a wonderful memory. In the 

 afternoon, several of what the captain calls " sword 

 fish " were seen, and the boats were sent to attempt 

 the capture of one ; but they were flying so fast 

 through the water, and were so wild, that our boats 

 were unable to approach within striking distance. 

 These fish appear to be the regular grampus, having 

 a dorsal fin, and being apparently about twenty feet 

 long. They are the whales' most inveterate ene- 

 mies, scaring them away directly they appear in 

 their neighbourhood ; and the captain is convinced 



