56 FIXED IN THE ICE. Chap. IV. 



CHAPJEE IV. 



Snow crystals — Dog will not eat raven — An Arctic school — The 

 dogs Lavade us — Bear-hunting by night — Ice-artillery — Arctic 

 palates — Sudden rise of temperature — Harvey's idea of a 

 sortie. 



Srd Oct. — September tas passed away and left 

 lis as a legacy to tlie pack ; what a month have 

 we had of anxious hopes and fears ! 



Up to the 17th S.E. winds prevailed, forcing 

 the ice into a compact body, and urging it 

 north-westward; subsequently N.W. winds set in, 

 drifting it southward, and separating the floe- 

 pieces; but the change of wind being accom- 

 panied by a considerable fall of temperature, 

 they were either quickly cemented together again 

 or young ice formed over the newly opened 

 lanes of water, almost as rapidly as the surface 

 of the sea became exposed. During the month 

 the thermometer ranged between +36° and 

 — 2°. Two more bears and a raven have been 

 seen. A wearied ptarmigan alighted near the 

 ship, but before it could take wing again the 

 dogs caught it, and scarcely a feather remained 

 by the time 1 could rush on deck. 



Our beautiful little organ was taken out of 



