GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 331 



turn should be effected on foot, with sledges for 

 the provisions and apparatus. 



(a.) Soft snow would diminish the speed, and 

 augment the fatigue of the animal ; to avoid 

 which, therefore, it would be necessary to set out 

 by the close of the month of April or the begin- 

 ning of May ; or at least, some time before the 

 severity of the frost should be too greatly relaxed. 



(b,) Want of continuity of the ice, would cer- 

 tainly occasion a troublesome interruption ; it 

 might nevertheless be overcome, by having the 

 sledges adapted to answer the purpose of boats ^ ; 

 and it is to be expected, that although openings 

 amidst the ice should occur, yet a winding course 

 might in general be pursued, so as to prevent any 

 very great stoppage. 



(c.) Many of the most prodigious fields, are 

 entirely free from abrupt hummocks, from one 

 extremity to the other, and field ice, as it appears 

 in general, would be easily passable. 



{d.) The degree of interruption from moun- 

 tainous ice, would depend on the quality of its 

 surface. If, as is most probable, it were smooth, 

 and free from abrupt slopes, it would not prevent 

 the success of the expedition. 



y4 



* The sledges might consist of slender frames of wood, with 

 the ribs of some quadruped, and coverings of water- proof skins, 

 or other materials equally light. 



