THE JOURNAL OF JOHN BISCOE. 319 
of it. At 8, saw the cutter at a great distance in the N.W., the weather 
being very clear; bore up to close her. Noon, hauled to the wind. 
Latitude by observation 67° 50’, by dead reckoning 67° 29’; longitude 
by observation 36° 38' 45" E., by dead reckoning 38° 38’ E., making a 
current §.W., 28 miles in 4 days, although I think the error is more 
likely to arise from the reckoning during the last gale. At 2 p.m. 
stood to the southward, the cutter N.W. about three miles. The officer 
of the watch this morning saw some hair seal a short distance from the 
vessel, but as they stayed only a short time above water I did not see 
them. 
Feb. 19—The whole of these 24 hours the wind was very light and 
variable, but generally from 8.8.E. 
Feb. 20.—On the 20th, the weather the same, with an easterly swell. 
Crossed Captain Cook’s track in 1773, so that the ice which he saw re- 
mains in the same position as in that year. Onr latitude at noon 67° 12’, 
longitude 38° 45’ E., we having made a N. 59° E. course, 56 miles since 
yesterday, at which time we saw the ice, and have not crossed his track 
more than 30 miles to the northward; I should like to have passed 
exactly the same spot, but the wind being very light from 8.8.E., could 
not without much loss of time, and which is now, from a succession of 
light and contrary winds, become very precious. I left the deck this 
night about ten minutes before twelve, and it appears that shortly after 
the officer of the watch observed something in the sky resembling 
Aurora Borealis. At1a.m. he reported it to me, but on going on deck 
I found it was entirely dispersed, and was much disappointed at his 
neglect. 
Feb. 21.—Light variable winds as yesterday. Very few icebergs in 
sight. Temperature of the air 32°, water 32°. 
Feb, 22.—Light airs from the southward with calm, clear weather. 
Two icebergs in sight. Variation per azimuth 40° 22’ W. Saw a 
hair seal. 
Feb, 23.—Light airs from the E.8.E., and calms the whole of these 
24 hours. Saw several hair seals. At 10 p.m. saw a faint appearance 
of the Aurora Australis, which appeared to form in a yellowish-green 
arch from E.S.E. to 8.8.W., but was very faint and continued but a short 
time, as it eventually disappeared at the setting of the moon, which was 
very clear and bright. 
Feb. 24.—Moderate breezes with snow squalls. The wind veering 
from E.N.E. to $.S.E. Latitude at noun 66° 08'S., longitude 43° 54’ 15” 
E. Temperature 30°. Variation 40° 22' W. 
Feb. 25.—The wind became more steady from the eastward, although 
with repeated snow squalls and cloudy weather. At 8 p.m. saw an 
appearance of land to the southward, with many ice-islands, field-ice, and 
with much straggling pieces about us. At 9,the weather becoming thick 
and squally, tacked to the northward. At 10.30, more clear. Stood 
