328 ANTARCTIC CRUISE. 



Their close approach was a convincing proof that they had never 

 been exposed to the pursuit of their skilful hunters. They were of the 

 fin-back species, and of extraordinary size. 



Between ten and eleven o'clock at night it was entirely clear over 

 head, and we were gratified with a splendid exhibition of the aurora 

 australis. It exceeded any thing of the kind 1 had heretofore witnessed; 

 its activity was inconceivable, darting from the zenith to the horizon 

 in all directions in the most brilliant coruscations ; rays proceeding as 

 if from a point in the zenith, flashed in brilliant pencillings of light, 

 like sparks of electric fluid in vacuo, and reappeared again to vanish ; 

 forming themselves into one body, like an umbrella, or fan, shut up; 

 again emerging to flit across the sky with the rapidity of light, they 

 showed all the prismatic colours at once or in quick succession. So 

 remarkable were the phenomena that even our sailors were constantly 

 exclaiming in admiration of its brilliancy. The best position in which 

 to view it was by lying flat upon the deck, and looking up. The 

 electrometer w r as tried, but no effect perceived. The star Canopus 

 was in the zenith at the time, and though visible through the aurora, 

 was much diminished in brightness. On this night also the moon was 

 partially eclipsed. 



Large icebergs had now become very numerous, and strengthened 

 the belief that the land existing in this vicinity had taken a very 

 decided trend to the northward. I accordingly followed up the 

 northern barrier closely, and passed through the thickest of these bergs, 

 well knowing from our experience that we should have little or no 

 opportunity of seeing the land, unless on the inner side of them. It 

 appeared as though they had collected here from other places, and it 

 is impossible to form an idea of the small space to which we were at 

 times confined. Upwards of one hundred ice-islands could be counted 

 at a time without the aid of a glass, some of which were several miles 

 long. We enjoyed this beautiful sight with the more pleasure, for we 

 had become used to them, and knew from experience that it was 

 possible to navigate through them without accident. 



On the 18th, we continued beating to the eastward, and found no 

 end to the apparently interminable barrier. We had a smooth sea, 

 and better weather than I anticipated. At noon, we had retraced our 

 way about forty miles. To-day we again had snow, which fell in the 

 form of regular six-pointed stars. The needles of which these stars 

 were formed were quite distinct, and of regular crystals. The tem- 

 perature at the time was 28°. The barometer stood at 28-76 in., about 

 three-tenths lower than we had had it for the last twelve days. The 

 wind was easterly. 



