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THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. XL] APRIL, 1887. [No. J 24. 



NOTES ON A VOYAGE TO THE GREENLAND SEAS 



IN 1886. 



By Robert Gray. 

 (Concluded from p. 100.) 



June 28th. The wind prevailing from the south-eastward, 

 with a heavy and continual swell. La dense and incessant fog 

 we have been feeling our way south-westwards along the pack- 

 edge : the dreadful roar of the swell amongst the ice, which 

 could be heard at a distance of about six miles, gave us timely 

 warning of its proximity on more than one occasion. Passed 

 several pieces of drift-wood, one piece being of deal, the others 

 parts of trees. At eight o'clock the ship nearly ran down three 

 young Saddle Seals lying asleep ; they were all lying heading to 

 leeward, and as they rose and fell on the bosom of the southerly 

 swell the wavelets washed freely over them. Lying on their 

 backs, with their breasts just awash, and only about two inches of 

 their noses above water, respiration did not appear to be going on. 



July 2nd. While running S.W. along the ice-edge we came 

 to a strip of oily water, with a number of birds sitting around it. 

 A boat was lowered down, and a large flat fish was found lying 

 dead at the surface. It was not brought on broad, but appeared 

 to be about three feet long, and the boat's crew said that it was 

 a Halibut. Shannon Island in sight, bearing W.N.W., distant 

 about sixty miles. 



July 3rd. A most beautiful day ; not a cloud in the sky, 

 the sea as smooth as glass. The sun being very bright during 



ZOOLOGIST. APRIL, 1887. L 



