420 THE ANTARCTIC MANUAL. 
situated some fifty yards back from the margin of the field-ice, and was 
found to be red earth mixed with granite and sandstone. Penguins were 
also procured alive. At 3 p.m. they again followed the trend of the ice 
in a north-westerly direction; a vast field, of uninterrupted extent, 
seemed moving along to the westward, the large icebergs containing dark 
and discoloured masses, with frequent strata of the same description. 
They were still at a loss to account for these frequent signs of land: 
discoloured pieces of ice seemed mingled with the general mass; they 
were often seen along its margin, and appeared as though the icebergs 
had been turned over, presenting collections as if from the bottom. 
Great numbers of sperm whales were seen this day. At 8 p.m. they 
passed out northwardly, with a light breeze and smooth sea, through an 
extensive chain of icebergs, which seemed grouped off the western point 
of the barrier: upwards of 100 of them were counted, several of which 
were very much discoloured. The sunset was brilliant, bright crimson 
tints illuminating the icebergs and producing a beautiful effect. 
On the 14th Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, having passed a 
few degrees beyond his instructions, that is, having reached longitude 
100° E., and latitude 64° 15’ S., now commenced his return, in order to 
examine those places in the barrier which he had been prevented from 
doing on his way west. 
15th.— Continued their course to the eastward. Lieutenant-Com- 
mandant Ringgold frequently refers to the happy and cheerful condition 
of his crew, and their freedom from all disease. 
On the 16th and 17th they were employed in getting to the eastward, 
passing many worn and shattered bergs. On the evening of the latter 
day they had another exhibition of the Aurora Australis, extending from 
north-north-west to east; it was of a light straw-colour, but very in- 
distinct ; the luminous bank was at an elevation of 30°. The light in 
the north-west was most distinct, radiating from a nucleus above the 
horizon towards the zenith, where it formed a beautiful halo. It was 
not of long duration. Many ice-islands and bergs in sight, upwards 
of 200; nearly all of a tabular form—the sides of many of them beauti- 
fully excavated by the waves, presenting innumerable Gothic arches, 
extending often to a considerable distance into the body of the ice. 
Their position on the 18th was in longitude 114° 17’ E., latitude 
62° 37’ 8. Flocks of black birds were very numerous, but not near 
enough to be taken. 
On the 19th and 20th, proceeding to the eastward. On the 20th 
they had but few ice-islands in sight, although they were 70 miles 
further south than on the 18th, when the largest number ever seen by 
them at one time was visible. Having reached the longitude of 120° E., 
they again steered south to make the barrier. The current was tried, 
but none found. 
The 21st proved stormy, with strong breezes from the south-east, and 
