VOYAGE TO GREENLAND, 
81 
iiected, and how they retain their position. Cap- 
tain Scoresby, whose discerning eye never suffered 
an advantage to be lost, on observing a small open- 
ing, scarcely exceeding the breadth of the ship, 
availed himself of it, and we passed through it ; we 
had not proceeded more than a hundred yards be- 
yond the opening, when it closed ; while passing I 
examined it with attention, to discover, if possible, 
the manner of its connexion, and the cause of its 
temporary chasm, and subsequent attraction ; but 
any attempt to offer an explanation on this curious 
subject must be built upon mere conjecture. 
The day being perfectly calm, and the 
sun shining in its brightest splendour, I 
observed, for the first time in these regions, the ice 
yielding to its influence, and every mass giving daz- 
zling proofs of its genial warmth. Captain Scoresby 
and myself, after taking a shooting cruise, went on 
board the Trafalgar of Hull, commanded by Cap- 
tain Lloyd, who had, on a previous voyage to Green- 
land, sailed in the Baffin as first mate, and had 
been distinguished as a most skilful and active whale- 
fisher. Our conversation was upon harpoon-guns, 
and I was gratified in finding that he was fully sen- 
sible of the important advantages to be derived from 
them; in confirmation of his impression of their 
utility, he informed us that he kept a gun always 
ready in one of his boats. Perceiving that he was 
so partial to the harpoon-gun, as to use it under his 
own personal superintendence, and also that he had 
formed a very favourable opinion of my plan. I re- 
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