A VOYAGE TO SPITZBBKGEN, ETC. 143 



little record. However, as the dip of the strata trends eastward, 

 and Central Spitzbergen is buried in heavy land ice, and there- 

 fore unknown, possibly some of the latter may outcrop in this un- 

 explored region. Several instances of wliat we considered ' ' raised 

 beaches" were observed in the fjords. 



Of the few lithological specimens brought home the majority 

 were Limestones or Sandstones of the Carboniferous series, and 

 all presented a singularly weather-worn appearance. There was 

 also a concretionary nodule of Ironstone, and specimens of Mica- 

 Schist and Grranite. The following fossils obtained by us are all 

 common to the Carboniferous rocks of Durham and jNTorthumber- 

 land, and have been identified by my brother, A. Crawhall Chap- 

 man, mining engineer, viz., Terebratula hastata, Spirifera striata, 

 Producta semireticulata, and Lepidodendra. 



Many of the sea fronts of the hill ranges, the rocks being dis- 

 integrated by the severity of the climate, present steep smooth 

 slopes, the sides of which are carved out by the action of ice and 

 water into regular series of vertical buttresses. The singular 

 uniformity of appearance thus presented somewhat resembles the 

 work of the military engineer with his bastions, scarps and 

 counter scarps ranged with mathematical accuracy. 



Where the solid rock presents a vertical face, the narrow 

 ledges of the horizontal strata are almost invariably occupied by 

 countless myriads of Eock-birds, whose gigantic "Loomeries," 

 or breeding places, are one of the wonders of Spitzbergen, by 

 comparison dwarfing ours of Flambro' and the Fames into the 

 utmost insignificance. Many of these Loomeries are situated a 

 considerable distance from the sea, and at elevations of a thousand 

 to two thousand feet above it. These precautions are necessary 

 to secure immunity from the numerous Arctic Foxes, but must 

 greatly add to the labours of the parent birds in feeding their 

 young. 



After leaving Ice Fjord we continued our voyage northwards, 

 and passing outside of Prinz Carl Foreland paid a short visit to 

 King's Bay and Cross Bay, remarkable for the magnificent Arctic 

 panorama they present. Thence we steamed to Magdalena Bay, 

 in 79' 35" North lat. This is a mountain-encircled basin, its 



