GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 301 



in the required direction, it is if possible attained. 

 It always affords a temporary relief, and some- 

 times a permanent release, by extending itself 

 through intricate mazes, amidst ice of various de- 

 scriptions, until at length it opens into the desired 

 place, void of obstruction, and the retreat of the 

 whales. 



The formidable barrier before described, is re- 

 gularly encountered on the first arrival of Greenland 

 ships in the month of April, but is generally remov- 

 ed by natural means as the season advances. How- 

 ever extensive, huge and compact it may be, it 

 is usually found separated from the land, and di- 

 vided asunder by the close of the month of June; 

 and hence it is, that however difficult and labo- 

 rious may have been the ingress into the fishing 

 country, the egress is commonly effected without 

 particular inconvenience. 



That the ice should envelope the whole coasts 

 of Spitzbergen in the winter season, and expose 

 the western shore about the month of June ; that 

 the ocean should be almost annually navigable on 

 the meridians of 5° to 10* E., to the 80th de- 

 gree of north latitude, whilst the ice in every 

 other part of the world, can rarely be penetrated 

 beyond the 7 i-th degree, are facts highly curious, 

 and certainly worthy of consideration. 



On the recession of the ice from the west side 

 of the land, a lane of water must be left from one 

 extremity to the other ; while to the south of 



