144 Jl voyage to SPITZBERGE^", ETC. 



shores lined with glaciers, aud the whole scene enveloped in 

 snow, save where ridges of black rocks stand ont in sharply- 

 defined contrast. Here we found the Norwegian whaling schooner 

 ''Hvitfisken," which had already secured a full cargo of two 

 hundred and fifty White "Whales, Beluga catodon,^'- said to be 

 worth £1500. These animals abounded in the Bay. They are 

 gregarious, and frequent the shallow muddy waters along the 

 shore. The "Hvitfisk's" cargo also comprised a number of 

 Seals, a quantity of Eider down, and last, not least, two Polar 

 Bears, which had been shot by her crew in Bel Sound just before 

 our arrival. They were unluckily the only examples of TJtbus 

 maritimus our expedition came across. The little vessel lay is- 

 landed among the floating skins of her prey, and surrounded by 

 a struggling crowd of Fulmars, which quarrelled and fought. over 

 the blubber, most audaciously regardless of our presence within 

 a few feet. They were easily caught alive by hook and line, but 

 we were not equally successful with Squalus GrcBnlandicus, the 

 Blind Shark, one or two of which were swimming round close to 

 the surface, but which we failed to secure. We found no Eein- 

 deer here, the ground not being suitable, but on the low rocky 

 foreshore shot several Grey Geese, Anser hrachi/r/u/nclius, which 

 were breeding on the rugged talus at the base of the cliffs. 

 Higher up Glaucous and Ivory Gulls were breeding on Botge's 

 Hill, but their nests were utterly inaccessible. This day was 

 absolutely warm ; the thermometer hung on the deck-house, 

 registering over 80° in the sun; and we observed some small 

 midges, the only insects seen in Spitzbergen. The surface tem- 

 perature in the Bay was 32°. While stalking the Geese on the 

 north shore I came across the remains of a rude wooden coffin, 

 half buried in big stones. The place had evidently been ex- 

 plored by Bears, and all that remained of the poor whaler were 

 a few metal buttons. 



From here we again proceeded north, intending to double 

 Verlegen Hook and reach Hinloopen Straits, where we were in 

 high hopes of falling in with Walrus and Bear. But in this we 

 were disappointed. Off Hakluyt's Headland we encountered 



* DdphinapieruK lencas (Pallas). 



