202 THE ZOOLOGIST. 
between Capes Sabine and Isabella. That rugged land, formed of 
syenitic, gneissoid and granitic rocks, was a complete contrast to the 
monotonous mural cliffs of gray Silurian limestone, under which 
we had for some time past been moving. Precipices so upright 
and smooth that not a wreath of snow could rest on their fronts 
rose black and forbidding from the water, whilst glaciers poured 
down on either side of them. The contrast between the black cliffs 
rising from the sea and the polished pinnacles of rock towering 
above their setting of everlasting ice, was magificent as long as 
the sun shone upon them, but as evening fell shadow and mist 
descended on the mountains, and hid from view the shores of the 
channel that we had fondly hoped would have led us to the Pole. 
Late in the evening of the 9th September we stopped off 
Cape Isabella. Captain Markham, whom I accompanied, landed 
and found at the cairn, erected the year before, a budget of home 
news, which we owed to the enterprise and gallantry of Sir Allen 
Young. After passing to the southward of Cape Isabella we were 
fairly afloat on the “ North-water” of Baffin Bay. 
In order to economise fuel our vessels were at once placed 
under sail, and in the teeth of most persistent head-winds we 
worked slowly to the southward. At that late season of the year 
the navigation of the head waters of Baffin Bay is a hazardous 
and disagreeable task. The nights get dark, and amidst driving 
storms of snow and sleet it requires great skill to avoid the ice- 
bergs and fields of broken-up pack. Fulmars and Kittiwakes were 
then very numerous in the “ North-water.” On the 17th, in lat. 73° 
40’ N., numbers of Little Auks were met with. On the following 
day flocks of Snow Buntings were seen migrating to the south. 
On the 25th September. we entered the harbour of Godhavyn, 
Disco Island, and received a warm weleome from Mr. Kriérup 
Smith, the Inspector of North Greenland. Though the little settle- 
ment of Godhavn is situated several degrees within the Arctic 
circle, and for more than half the year is cut off from all communi- 
cation with Europe,—though its winters are intensely cold, and 
the sun remains below the horizon for nearly two months,—yet 
delicately nurtured ladies stay there, lightening their husbands’ 
labours and banishment by their presence. And now that our 
good ships, by “skilful guidance led,” have brought us once again 
to civilized homes, though buried in Arctic wilds, it seems befitting 
to bring to a close this brief narrative of a Polar voyage. 
