East Coast of West Greenland. 
duced me to examine the ice very closely in this quarter, when, in 
the very spot marked by the blink as being the narrowest, the ice 
was found to be in the act of opening, so as to permit our passing 
through towards the north-west. At the extremity of the first open- 
ing, or lake, there was a compact barrier of floes, wherein, however, 
after a few hours detention, we discovered a narrow dubious chan- 
nel, that eventually conducted us into the expanse of water pointed 
out by reflection in the atmosphere.” P. 80, 81. 
The night of the 7th-8th, was stormy, with snow or fog ; 
but in the afternoon the sky was clear, when land was discovered 
extending from N. by E. to NW., the nearest part supposed to 
be at the distance of fifty miles. This was the eastern coast of 
Greenland, being a continuation towards the north of that coast, 
on which the ancient Icelandic colonies were planted in the tenth 
century. 
(! I looked on it,” says our author, “ with intense interest, and 
flattered myself with the hope of being able to land upon some of 
its picturesque crags, where European foot had never trod, before 
the season for the fishery should come to a close. As no ship had 
ever before penetrated (I had reason to believe) within sight of this 
coast, at so early a period of the summer, I was encouraged to ex- 
pect that my wishes would not be difficult to accomplish ; and, as 
the main design of my voyage was fortunately compatible with re- 
searches about this unknown region, I determined immediately to 
penetrate, as far as possible, towards the shore.” P. 82, 83. 
Their latitude being 74° 6', the southernmost land in sight was 
considered as the Hold-with-Hope of Hudson, and the most 
northerly as Gale Hamkes’ Bay. On attempting to proceed to 
the northwest, they were interrupted by a solid barrier of fields 
and floes of ice, closely wedged together. They were therefore 
forced to remain until some change in the ice should take place. 
Captain Scoresby, in rowing amongst the ice, was struck with 
the numerous remarkable forms it assumed, and of which a par- 
ticular account, illustrated with plates, is given in the Journal. 
The ship still continuing beset, Captain Scoresby employed 
his leisure hours in making observations on the local deviation 
of the Baffin ; and of which a highly curious and detailed ac- 
count is given in the narrative. Early in the morning of the 
11th June, during a perfect calm, the pressure in the floes re- 
laxed, which enabled the ship to get nearer to the coast. On 
the 12th of June, the land being only ten or fifteen leagues dis- 
tant, drawings were made of its appearance, and a set of obser- 
vations on its bearings. The nearest approach to the land was 
about ten leagues ; beyond that limit it was impossible to advance. 
