ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



341 



On the 9th we had the finest day we had yet experienced on this 

 coast ; the wind had veered from the east to southwest, and given us 

 a clear, bracing, and wholesome atmosphere. The barrier exhibited 

 the same appearance as yesterday. Our longitude was 125° 19' E., 

 latitude 65° 08' S., variation 32° 45' westerly. The current was 

 tried, but none found ; the pot was only visible at five fathoms ; the 

 colour of the water a dirty green ; the dip sector gave 3' 15". I 

 never saw a clearer horizon, or one better defined than we had to the 

 northward. The icy barrier was really beautiful. At midnight we 

 had a splendid display of the aurora australis, extending all around 

 the northern horizon, from west-by-north to east-northeast. Before 

 its appearance, a few clouds only were seen in the southeast, on 

 which the setting sun cast a red tint, that barely rendered them 

 visible. The horizon, with this exception, appeared clear and well 

 defined. The spurs or brushes of light frequently reached the zenith, 

 converging to a point near it. 



■ ■■ ■ ■ 



Although no clouds could be seen in the direction of the aurora, 

 before or after its appearance, yet when it was first seen, there 

 appeared clouds, of the form of massive cumuli, tinged with pale 

 yellow, and behind them arose brilliant red, purple, orange, and 



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