444 
scorrs last expedition 
There is very little growth from above due to 
deposition of snow. 
After the first winter, when the Sound was completely 
frozen over, the ice was seen on the return of the sun to 
be buckled in the form of low waves two or three inches 
high and about 150 feet apart from crest to crest. This 
phenomenon was due evidently to the dilatation of 
the ice on rising temperatures and was remarkable by 
reason that in each hollow a tiny crack was visible and re- 
mained open until the disappearance of the ice — Nature's 
provision for helping the break-up of the sea ice after a 
severe winter. In mild winters when the outer Sound is 
kept free of ice no such cracks or waves appear. 
Ice Foot 
During the autumn, while the sea is as yet open and 
the temperature low, the whole shore line becomes covered 
with a coating of frozen spray, which on account of its 
saline constituents remains wet and sticky at even com- 
paratively low temperatures, and provides pendent masses 
in an infinite variety of form, from a very stubby icicle 
to the so-called foot-stalactites, due to constant accretion 
of snow drifting from one direction only. About the 
same time there is growing on all shallow shores a low 
platform a few feet above the surface of mean sea level. 
This growth is due partly to drifted snow consolidated by 
spray, partly to tidal action, and partly to growth direct 
from the waves and sea. 
This ice foot later on becomes frozen clear to the 
