±0 THE ANTARCTIC. 



progress. However, on the 15th of December, in lati- 

 tude 65° 52' S. and longitude 159° 20' W., the pack-ice 

 grew so impenetrable and the fog so dense that it be- 

 came necessary to retire somewhat to the north. It was 

 not till the 20th of December that the Antarctic circle 

 was crossed for the second time on the meridian 147° 

 30 W. The southernmost point attained in these 

 regions was latitude 67° 31' S. and longitude 142 54' 

 W., where thick pack-ice and numerous icebergs again 

 obstructed the vessels. On the 23rd of December, in 

 latitude 67° 20' S. and longitude 1 37° 12' W., it was no 

 longer possible to break through the ice, and as the 

 health of the officers and crews had suffered in conse- 

 quence of their unceasing exertions in navigating the 

 vessels, Cook found himself compelled to return north 

 for a time. This he did with reluctance and regret, for 

 having seen several brown albatrosses in this region of 

 the heavy pack-ice he concluded that land could not be 

 far distant. 



Cook's retreat north continued to latitude 48° S., 

 where, on the 1 ith of January, 1744, in latitude 47° 51' S. 

 and longitude 122° 12' W., he resolved to venture upon 

 another attempt to reach higher latitudes. This time he 

 followed a course nearly due south, and encountered 

 icebergs on the 20th of January in latitude 62 34' S. and 

 longitude 116° 24' W., which, however, grew less numer- 

 ous during the few subsequent days, or disappeared 

 altogether. On the 26th of January the Antarctic circle 

 was again crossed on meridian 109 31' \\\, with but few 

 icebergs visible, and apparently land in sight. On closer 

 observation this was found to be a bank of dense fog, 

 which at a distance had all the appearance of a moun- 

 tainous country. By degrees the icebergs increased in 

 number on their southern course, and in latitude 69 38' 

 S. and longitude 108° 12' W., field-ice again appeared, 

 on which sea-tang covered with mussels was observed. 



