THE JOURNAL OF JOHN BISCOE, 381 
through from 150 to 200 icebergs every day for some time back, our 
navigation has been attended with considerable danger, being obli ged to 
heave to and bear up continually, as the weather became more thick or 
partially cleared away. Several albatross about, besides a few Cape 
pigeons. Latitude at noon 66° 27' §., longitude, by means of chrono- 
meters, 81° 50' W. Mean temperature, air 36°, water 36°; barometer 
29° 20’. Variation, per several sets of azimuths, 32° E., a difference of 
18° when the compass was placed on the binnacle, and when on the 
quarter; having no convenient place amidships, of course I must abide 
by those taken at the binnacle. Several hump and fin-backed whales 
in sight occasionally. 
Feb, 14—am. Saw a seal and a penguin and a few blue petrels. 
Came suddenly, about 1 a.m., upon close clusters of icebergs and much 
broken ice; obliged to steer N.E. for several hours to clear them, having 
not less than four or five hundred icebergs ahead and on each bow. 
P.M, about twenty ice-islands only in sight; temperature, water 34°, 
air 344°; barometer 29°20°; latitude at noon 66° 30'S., longitude L.O., 
78° 04' W. 
Feb. 15.—On the 15th strong gales from the southward. Water 
smooth. Latitude at noon 67° 01’ §., longitude 71° 48’ W. At 5 p.m. 
saw land bearing E.S.E., which appeared at a great distance—run for it 
all night with a light breeze from the 8.W. At noon our latitude 
was 67° 15', longitude 69° 29’ W. The body of the island E. about 
three miles. Temperature, air 33°, water 33}°, at a depth of 250 
fathoms (no bottom). Barometer 29-30°. This island being the 
farthest known land to the southward, I have honoured it with the 
name of H.M.G. Majesty Queen Adelaide. It has a most imposing 
and beautiful appearance, having one very high peak running up 
into the clouds, and occasionally appears both above and below 
them; about one-third of the mountains, which are about 4 miles 
in extent from north to south, have only a thin scattering of snow 
over their summits. Towards the base the other two-thirds are buried 
in a field of snow and ice of the most dazzling brightness. This bed 
of snow and ice is about 4 miles in extent, sloping gradually down 
to its termination ; a cliff, ten or twelve feet high, which is split in every 
direction for at least two or three hundred yards from its edge inwards, 
and which appears to form icebergs, only waiting for some severe gales 
or other cause to break them adrift and put them in motion. From the 
great depth of water, I consider this island to have been originally a 
cluster of perpendicular rocks, and I am thoroughly of opinion that the 
land I before saw last year, could I have got to it, would have proved to 
be in the same state as this, and likewise all land found in high southern 
latitudes. 
Feb. 15.—I now determined to stand to the N.E., supposing that 
100 miles in latitude might make a considerable difference, and from 
