ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 325 



until 11a. m., when we found any further progress quite impossible. I 

 then judged that it was seven or eight miles distant. The day was 

 remarkably clear, and the land very distinct. By measurement, we 

 made the extent of coast of the Antarctic Continent, which was then 

 in sight, seventy-five miles, and by approximate measurement, three 

 thousand feet high. It was entirely covered with snow. Longitude at 

 noon, 106° 18' 42" E., latitude 65° 59' 40" Si, variation 57° 05' westerly. 

 On running in, we had passed several icebergs greatly discoloured 

 with earth, and finding we could not approach the shore any nearer, I 

 determined to land on the largest ice-island that seemed accessible, to 

 make dip, intensity, and variation observations. On coming up with 

 it, about one and a half miles from where the barrier had stopped us, I 

 hove the ship to, lowered the boats, and fortunately effected a landing. 

 We found embedded in it, in places, boulders, stones, gravel, sand, and 

 mud or clay. The larger specimens were of red sandstone and basalt. 

 No signs of stratification were to be seen in it, but it w 7 as in places 

 formed of icy conglomerate (if I may use the expression), composed of 

 large pieces of rocks, as it were frozen together, and the ice was 

 extremely hard and flint-like. The largest boulder embedded in it was 

 about five or six feet in diameter, but being situated under the shelf of the 

 iceberg, we were not able to get at it. Many specimens were obtained, 

 and it was amusing to see the eagerness and desire of all hands to possess 

 themselves of a piece of the Antarctic Continent. These pieces were 

 in great demand during the remainder of the cruise. In the centre of 

 this iceberg was found a pond of most delicious water, over which 

 was a scum of ice about ten inches thick. We obtained from it about 

 five hundred gallons. We remained upon this iceberg several hours, 

 and the men amused themselves to their hearts' content in sliding. 

 The pond w 7 as three feet deep, extending over an area of an acre, and 

 contained sufficient water for half-a-dozen ships. The temperature of 

 the water was 31°. This island had been undoubtedly turned partly 

 over, and had precisely the same appearance that the icy barrier 

 would have exhibited if it had been turned bottom up and subsequently 

 much worn by storms. There was no doubt that it had been detached 

 from the land, which was about eight miles distant. The view of the 

 land, ice, &c, taken from this ice-island, is exhibited in the opposite 

 plate, and gives a correct representation of these desolate regions. 



Around the iceberg we found many species of zoophytes, viz. : 

 salpee, a beautiful specimen of clio helicina, some large pelagie, and 

 many small Crustacea. I made several drawings of them. This day, 

 notwithstanding our disappointment in being still repelled from treading 



2C 



