370 



ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



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 one hundred of 

 them were counted, several of which were very much discoloured. 

 The sunset was brilliant, bright crimson tints illuminating the ice- 

 bergs, 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 east- 

 ward, passing many worn and shattered bergs. On the evening of 

 the latter day, they had another exhibition of the aurora australis, 

 extending from north-northwest to east : it was of a light straw-colour, 

 but very indistinct; the luminous bank was at an elevation of 30°. 

 The light in the northwest 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 two hundred; nearly all of a tabular form, — the 

 sides of many of them beautifully 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' S. 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 seventy 

 miles farther 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 southeast, 

 and much snow and rain, which covered the brig with ice. Field-ice 

 was seen ahead, when they again stood to the eastward, longitude 



