THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 401 
upon this iceberg several hours, and the men amused themselves to their 
heart’s content in sliding. The pond was three feet deep, extending 
over an area of an acre, and contained sufficient water for half-a-dozen 
ships. The temperature of the water was 31°. This island had been 
undoubtedly turned partly over, and had precisely the same appearance 
that the icy barrier would have exhibited if it had been turned bottom up 
and subsequently much worn by storms. There was no doubt that it 
had been detached from the land, which was about eight miles distant. 
The view of the land, ice, etc., taken from this ice-island, is exhibited 
in the opposite plate, and gives a correct representation of these desolate 
regions. 
Around the iceberg we found many species of zoophytes, viz. salpee, 
a beautiful specimen of clio helicina, some large pelagie, and many large 
crustacea. J made several drawings of them. This day, notwithstand- 
ing our disappointment in being still repelled from treading on the new 
continent, was spent with much gratification, and gave us many new 
specimens from it. 
Finding that we had reached the longitude of 105° E. before the time 
anticipated, and being desirous to pursue the discoveries further west, 
T left a signal flying on this berg, with a bottle containing instructions 
for the other vessels, directing them to proceed to the westward as far 
as they could in the time which should remain prior to the 1st of March. 
At 8 p.m. we joined the ship, and bore away again to the westward, 
intending to pursue the route pointed out to them. 
On the 15th we passed many icebergs, much discoloured with earth, 
stones, etc., none of which appeared of recent formation. The weather 
this day became lowering, and the breeze fresh; we double-reefed the 
topsails and made everything snug; the wind was from the southward. 
At noon this day we were in longitude 104° E., latitude 64° 06'S. The 
sea had been remarkably smooth the last few days, and no swell, 
and I began to entertain the idea that we might have a large body of 
ice to the northward of us, for the position where Cook found the 
barrier in 1773 was 200 miles further to the north. I determined, how- 
ever, to pass on in our explorations, hoping they might enable me to 
join that of Enderby’s Land. I deemed it a great object actually to 
prove the continuity with it if possible: and if disappointed in this, I 
should at any rate ascertain whether there had been any change in the 
ice in this quarter since the time of Cook, which had been done already 
near his Ne Plus Ultra. 
We had a vast number of whales about us this day, as well as pen- 
guins, Cape pigeons, white and grey, and small and large petrels. 
Some seals also were seen. 
I was now happy to find the health of my crew had become re- 
established, and that only a few remained on the sick-list. This, I 
think, was effected by constant attention to their being warmly clothed. 
2D 
