THE ARCTIC SEAS. 121 
that is perceptible for miles. When a boat or even a 
ship is in immediate proximity to an iceberg in such 
circumstances, the danger is imminent; but if viewed 
Swevy amone Ice. 
from a secure distance, the sight is a very interesting 
one. The first iceberg I ever saw, and one of large 
size, thus rolled about one-third over while I beheld 
it, entirely altering its apparent form. Sometimes 
the effect of the wave’s action is to cause a large 
fragment to fall off, or a crack will extend through 
the whole mass with a deafening report, or the entire 
iceberg will fall to pieces, and strew the ocean with 
the fragments, like the remnants of a wreck. Late 
in the summer they often become very brittle, and 
then a slight violence is sufficient to rupture them. 
Seamen avail themselves of the shelter afforded by 
L 
