GflEENLAN0 OR FOtAR I'CE. 



and density ; its frequent production of crystal- 

 lised snow in a wonderful perfection and variety 

 of form and texture ; and its astonishing sudden 

 changes from calm to storm, — from fair weather 

 to foul, and vice versa. 



The land is of itself a sublime object ; its stu- 

 pendous mountains rising by steep acclivities from 

 the very margin of the ocean to an immense 

 height, terminating in ridged, conical, or pyramidal 

 summits ; its surface, contrasting its native pro- 

 truding dark-coloured rocks, with its burthen of 

 purest snow ; the whole viewed under the densi- 

 ty of a gloomy sky, forms a picture impressive 

 and grand. Its most remarkable inhabitant is 

 the White or Polar Bear, which indeed also oc- 

 curs on the ice. This ferocious animal, seems to 

 be the natural lord of those regions. He preys in- 

 discriminately on quadruped, fowl, reptile, and fish ; 

 all behold him with dread, and flee his presence. 

 The seals signify their fear of him by their con- 

 stant watching, and betake themselves precipi- 

 tately to the water on his approach. Carrion,, 

 therefore, (of which the carcase of the whale is- 

 at a certain season the most plentiful), aflfords him 

 a passive, sure, and favourite food. His sense of 

 smelling is peculiarly acute : in his march, he is- 

 frequently observed to face the breeze, to rear 

 His head, and snufF the passing scent, whereby he 



