THE NARRATIVE OF CHARLES WILKES. 421 
much snow and rain, which covered the brig with ice. TField-ice was 
seen ahead, when they again stood to the eastward, longitude being 
121° 30' E., latitude 65° 15'S. On this night they experienced a heavy 
gale, during which the barometer fell to 27°50 in., where it remained 
during part of the 22nd. The squalls were very severe, accompanied 
with snow, sleet, hail, and heavy seas: they had now reached longitude 
122° E., and latitude 64° 09’ S. 
February 22nd, being Washington’s birthday, the colours were hoisted, 
and the crew received an extra allowance. Lieutenant-Commandant 
Ringgold took this occasion to express to them his satisfaction for the 
manner in which they had performed their duties during the present 
cruise, and that their conduct would be duly represented to the com- 
mander of the expedition and the government. 
On the 23rd the weather was again thick, with snow and mist. 
On the 24th they had reached longitude 126° E., and latitude 
64° 29'S. On this day they again sighted the barrier; when, having 
completed what he deemed a full execution of his instructions, Lieu- 
tenant-Commandant Ringgold determined to put the brig’s head north, 
—which was accordingly done. 
Strong winds and gales continued for the next three days. On the 
27th they again found themselves in east variation, in longitude 138° E., 
latitude 60° 08'S. The white albatross had now again become common. 
On the 29th they had a beautiful display of the Aurora Australis ; 
the whole southern hemisphere was covered with arches of a beautiful 
straw-colour, from which streamers radiated, both upwards and down- 
wards, of almost a lustrous white; numbers of concentric arches would 
occasionally show themselves, of a width of a few feet, uniting to form 
a complete canopy for a mument, and then vanish. ‘The arches ex- 
tended from east-south-east to west-north-west; the display continued 
for over two hours ; the stars were seen above them. Previous to, and 
during its continuance, the thermometer indicated a change of four 
degrees, and the wind shifted to the southward. 
On the Ist of March, in latitude 55° §. and longitude 140° E., they 
passed the last ice-island. 
On the 2nd, great numbers of pyrosoma of large size were passed. 
On the 4th, some faint appearances of the Aurora Australis were 
seen. 
On the 5th the Lord Auckland Isles were descried. Mr. Totten, 
who was officer of the deck, was accidentally knocked overboard by 
the trysail-boom, but was fortunately rescued without injury. Immense 
numbers of albatrosses were about. The aurora was again seen in the 
southern hemisphere. 
On the 7th they anchored in the harbour of Sarah’s Bosom, in 
twelve fathoms water. During their brief stay here all were actively 
employed wooding and watering. for which this harbour affords a fine 
