VOYAGE TO GREENLAND. 
141 
which set limits to human exertion, and defied 
perseverance to penetrate any distance. Here my 
mind was satisfied on the formation of this body 
of ice, it being apparent that those immense 
rugged spaces which we observed, had received 
their inequality of surface by the hard pressure of 
immense pieces coming in contact, and uniting by 
the strong congealing power, during the long arctic 
winter, in which there is no sun to abate its rigour. 
This ice is said to be similar in nature and cha- 
racter to that which extends to the North Pole, 
and which hitherto has prevented any successful 
expedition to that interesting part of the world. 
Having requested a boat for an exploring and a 
shooting expedition, I observed near the verge of 
the ice, the track of some animal, and on exami- 
nation, found it resembled that of a small dog; 
the impression was quite round, and the footsteps 
followed each other in a direct line ; it probably 
was an arctic fox, Canis Lagopus, (Linn.) In the 
course of the day, several kittywakes at a great 
distance were heard to make an uncommon scream- 
ing, which, on coming nearer to them, I found to 
proceed from the appearance of some hams Parasi- 
ticus, (Linn.,) or arctic Gulls : these gulls feed on 
fish that have been caught by other birds, whom they 
persecute until they oblige them to drop their prey, 
and then with astonishing dexterity they catch it 
before it reaches the water : these birds live by 
plunder, and display a great deal of cunning in 
watching the flight of ducks, and other aquatic 
