118 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



the continent among large brash-ice,* until 11.30 A. M., 

 when the masses of ice became so thick as to render all fur- 

 ther approach impossible. We were compelled to put the 

 helm up and wear ship, picking our way out through passages 

 not more than thirty feet in width. We saw distinctly from 

 sixty to seventy miles of coast, and a mountain in the interior, 

 which we estimated to be 2,500 feet in height. At 1 P. M., 

 we effected a landing on an iceberg, and found imbedded in it 

 sand, gravel, and rocks. These last were several feet in cir- 

 cumference, and composed of basalt and red "sandstone. 

 Many of the smaller stones were brought on board, and they 

 very soon disappeared, for every one was anxious to possess 

 themselves of a piece of the new continent. There is no 

 doubt in my mind, but that this mass of ice had once been a 

 part of the icy barrier, and that the - surface now exposed to 

 view had rested on the bottom of the sea. Many species of 

 zoophytes were seen about the berg. At 5 P. M., the boat 

 returned, leaving on the ice a flag flying, with a bottle con- 

 taining orders for the " Peacock " and " Porpoise," which 

 vessels we have not seen for the past three weeks. When the 

 boat was secured, we again filled away, and stood to the west- 

 ward. We have now reached the longitude of 105° 30' 00' 

 east. Temperature of .air 26°, water 30°. 



February 15th. This morning the wind hauled to the 

 southward and westward, and ever since the weather has been 

 cloudy and snowy. All the ice seen to-day has been dis- 

 colored, more or less, by what appeared to be mud and gravel. 

 Numerous whales, seals and penguins have been about the 

 ship. 



January 17th. Last night another display of the Aurora 



* Ice in a broken state, and in such small pieces that the ship can easily force 

 through. 



