548 Scientific News. [J uly. 4 
August, 1879, off the east coast of Yesso has been gotten off 
safely. She will be refitted, placed under the command of Capt. 
E. Johannesen, who discovered Ensomeheden island, and will 
attempt the north-east passage in the reverse direction. 
“Die METAMORPHOSEN DES PoLaREISEs,”—This is the title of a 
valuable work by Capt. Weyprecht, recently published in Vienna, 
and treating very fully of the character, changes and movements 
of the Arctic ice. 
The first chapter speaks of the three different kinds of ice- 
glacier, salt-water and fresh-water. This is followed by others 
discussing ice-pressures, ice in winter and in summer, and the 
changes in its surface caused chiefly by variations of temperature 
between the water below and the air above—these effects being 
often increased by the banks and mounds of same. The weight 
of these snow masses, the’ pressure of surrounding ice-fields 
driven by the winds or currents, and the forcing of large blocks 
over and under the ice surface are also effecting constant changes 
in the surface of the frozen sea. These changes are accompanied 
by frequent noises. Sometimes only a mere murmur is heard, but 
often there is a groaning and roaring as if heavily laden wagons 
were running over the icy surface. 
Noise is conducted a long distance on the ice, and sounds at the 
margin of the floe often seem directly under your feet. *“ When- 
ever” Capt. Weyprecht says, “I laid down to sleep, and placed 
my ear against the ship’s side, a humming and confusion of 
sounds could be heard—the combination of noises on the ice at 
great distances from the ship.” The movements of the ice—each 
heretofore little understood. 
It is to be wished that Capt. Weyprecht’s investigations had 
extended to the shores of the Palæocrystic sea of the British ex- 
pedition, where most of these phenomena are visible on a grander 
scale than can elsewhere be witnessed. Our knowledge of Arctic 
ice must continue to be very incomplete until we learn more of 
the origin and duration of these mightiest of all known ice masses: 
:0: 
SCIENTIFIC NEWS. 
— The Count de Castelnau, for many years French Consul at 
Melbourne, died there recently. He was an ardent student of 
natural history, and had pursued his studies in the various parts 
of the world whither his official duties led him. He was director 
of the scientific expedition sent by Louis Phillippe, the King of 
