822 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
I believe, likewise formed from the upper parts of icebergs, as on 
Sunday, the 20th inst., the vessels were very near a large ice-island, 
and while looking at it I observed a large mass of ice break off from 
one of its upper projections and fall into the water with a tremendous 
noise, and which floated in large lumps on the surface, so that the 
breaking up of one or two of these icebergs would make a considerable 
patch of field-ice. 
Observing a large range of complete arches in this iceberg with 
many other cavities, I fired a cannon shot at it to see what effect it 
might have; but the motion of the vessel at the time of firing carried 
the shot just over its surface, when a complete cloud of snow birds rose 
from it, which in all probability had laid their eggs there. The second 
shot was more successful, but had no other effect than knocking off a 
few small pieces of ice. I pulled round this iceberg in a boat very 
close, but could observe no symptom of its having ever been in any way 
attached to the land. 
I have been likewise much surprised at the constant easterly winds 
which prevail on these meridians, as it is generally understood to the 
southward strong westerly winds prevail, but I have a beating passage 
of it, which with the frequent calm, now and then a strong blow from 
the 8.E., with generally a heavy swell from that quarter for some time 
before and after, together with the thick weather, incommode me very 
much. 
Feb. 26.—a.m. Squally and cloudy. Wind southerly. At noon 
latitude 65° 57’, longitude 46° 17’. Passed some straggling ice. Many 
icebergs in sight. P.mM., wind more easterly. Stood to the southward. 
8 pm., thick weather with an easterly swell. Tacked to the north- 
ward, it being too thick to venture among the ice. Cutter in close 
company. 
Feb. 27.—Moderate breezes from the 8.8.E., with a most distressing 
E.S.E. sea, which made the vessels pitch and strain very much, and 
were enabled in consequence to carry but little canvas, accompanied 
by thick weather. Repeated showers of snow. Many small birds 
about us. 
Feb. 28.—In the morning more regular sea. Tacked to the south- 
ward. Wind 8.E. Noon, more clear. Latitude 65° 57’ §., longitude 
47° 20’ 30" KE. p.m., passed to the southward through much broken 
field-ice. 4 p.m. saw several hummocks to the southward, which much 
resembled tops of mountains, and at 6 p.m. clearly distinguished it to be 
land, and to considerable extent ; to my great satisfaction what we had 
first seen being the black tops of mountains showing themselves through 
the snow on the lower land, which, however, appeared to be a great 
distance off, and completely beset with close field-ice and icebergs. The 
body of the land bearing 8.E. 
March 1.—During the whole of this day, and the 2nd, we were 
