ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 291 



and snow fell at intervals ; the wind continued from the westward. 

 Many whales were seen ; albatrosses, petrels, and Cape pigeons were 

 frequent about the ship. At 4 p. m., the mist raised a little, and to their 

 surprise they saw a perfect barrier of ice, extending to the southwest, 

 with several large icebergs enclosed within it. Shortly after, they dis- 

 covered a sail, which proved to be the Porpoise. 



The Vincennes and Porpoise were left in our narrative near the icy 

 barrier, separated by the fogs and mists that prevailed at times. The 

 Porpoise, on the 13th, in latitude 65° 08' S., longitude 163° E., disco- 

 vered several sea-elephants on the ice, and sent a boat to capture them, 

 but without success. The current was tried, and found to set west 

 one-fifth of a mile per hour. Some time afterwards, seeing some sea- 

 elephants near the edge of the ice, a boat was sent, and succeeded in 

 capturing a female. From the numerous sea-elephants, and the dis- 

 coloration of the water and ice, they were strongly impressed with the 

 idea of land being in the vicinity, but on sounding with one hundred 

 fathoms, no bottom was found; Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold felt 

 convinced, from the above circumstances, and the report that penguins 

 were heard, that land was near, and thought he could discern to the 

 southeast something like distant mountains. A nearer approach was 

 impossible, as they were then in actual contact with the icy barrier. 



On the 14th, at 3 p. m., the water being still discoloured, tried sound- 

 ings, but found no bottom. 



Two sea elephants were seen lying motionless on the ice. On being 

 shot at, the animal would raise its head and look around for an instant, 

 and then resume its former posture. Boats were lowered, when they 

 were captured and brought on board : they proved to be the Phoca 

 proboscidea. Dr. Holmes examined their stomachs, and found nothing 

 but well-digested food. Their dimensions were as follows : 



Total length 10 feet, 9 inches. 



Length of posterior nipper 1 " 9 " 



Breadth 2 " 4 " 



Circumference of largest part of body . . . 6 " 3 " 



This was a young female. The other was taken afterwards; he 

 measured — 



In length 8 feet, 6 inches. 



Greatest circumference behind anterior flipper . 5 " " 



Length of nippers 1 " 5 " 



Breadth " 1 " 5 " 



On the 15th the Peacock and Porpoise were in company: the 

 specimens of sea-elephants were put on board the Peacock ; and, after 

 having had communication with each other, the vessels again separated, 

 standing on opposite tacks. 



