GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 



On the 9th, they were in latitude 77° 38'N. 

 The intensity of the pressure was not diminished. 

 The Volunteer lay beset three miles off, under a 

 like dangerous pressure. 



In my Father's Journal of the 12th, appear the 

 following remarks : N. B. — I cannot, from the 

 top-gallant-mast-head, see over the flat of ice to 

 the north-east, into which the ship is frozen ; 

 and yet in fifty hours it has revolved from the 

 south-south west, westerly to north, and carried 

 the ship with a semi-circular motion 15 or £0 

 leagues. On the 10th instant, we were within 1|. 

 miles of the land, whereas our distance is now 

 10 leagues, and our advance to the northward 

 even greater. The Volunteer has drifted out of 

 sight in the south-west quarter." 



On the 15th, after labouring eight and forty hours 

 without rest, they escaped into a place of safety. 



3. When speaking of the formation of fields, 

 I had occasion to remark, that the polar ice has a 

 constant tendency to drift to the south-westward ; 

 with regard to which, it -may be observed, that 

 in situations near the western coast of Spitzbergen, 

 this tendency is seldom observed, but rather the 

 contrary. This may probably result from the ef- 

 fects of the tide, eddies, or pectiliar pressures. 

 Its universal prevalence, however, at a distance 

 from the land, though with some slight variations, 

 may be illustrated by numerous facts of almost 



VOL, II. X 



