ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 367 



a finer : this gave them an opportunity of thoroughly drying every 

 thing and ventilating the vessel, which was much required ; standing 

 to the northward, in order to make a long board to the westward ; the 

 longitude 127° 08' E., latitude 63° 22' S. ; few ice-islands in sight, 

 and those appeared much worn, showing marks of rapid decay, with 

 isolated pieces, — some standing erect, while others were inclined, re- 

 sembling fragments of columns and broken arches. This night there 

 was a brilliant display of the aurora australis : at eleven o'clock there 

 was perceived in the northern horizon a luminous arched cloud, at 

 15° of altitude, extending from northwest to northeast; the stars 

 were partially obscured in the direction of the clouds; the pale 

 flashes or coruscations vanishing very suddenly, were succeeded by 

 spiral columns or streamers, converging with great velocity towards 

 the zenith ; brilliant flashes would again issue forth from the remote 

 parts of the cloud, succeeded in quick succession by perpendicular 

 rays emanating from the cloud, having the shape of a rounded 

 column or basaltic-shaped cylinder, which in contrast with the dark 

 cloud showed in broad relief. As the cloud seemed to rise, the scene 

 became a most interesting one, from the varied and oft-changing 

 coruscations : finally the arc assumed a contracted and elliptical form, 

 vivid streamers bursting forth as if from a corona, converging all 

 towards the zenith, until they were lost in the coming day. The 

 magnetic needle did not show any disturbance. The barometer stood 

 stationary during its continuance. The sympiesometer indicated a 

 slight fall. At the time there was no wind ; the stars were brilliant, 

 and all visible. 



6th. During this day they had light winds ; pursued their course 

 to the westward ; wind from the southward. In the afternoon they 

 had light flurries of snow, and at times hail ; the sea perfectly smooth, 

 and few icebergs in sight. Longitude 125° 32' E., latitude 63° 

 34' S. 



During the 7th, the winds variable ; at eight tacked to the south- 

 ward, in order to close in with the barrier ; the wind again hauling, 

 tacked; the number of icebergs increasing; all those seen for the few 

 days past have appeared variously shaped, much worn and fractured, 

 some evidently overturned, and immense arches or caves washed in 

 them ; they were totally distinct from those seen to-day. 



8th. A brisk breeze from the southward, which carried them on 

 rapidly to the westward. At meridian, discovered compact fields of 

 ice, with many stupendous ice-islands enclosed within it; the ice 

 appeared more broken than any hitherto seen, with many fragments 



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