292 
VOYAGE FOR THE DISCOVERY 
1820. shifted from one part of the heavens to another; by the depth and vividness 
of the colours, both of red and green, with which its coruscations were 
tinted ; and by its streamers breaking out unexpectedly in places previously 
obscure, and extending indifferently downwards as well as upwards. The 
latter distinction was contrasted with the more usual appearance of rays 
streaming towards the zenith, from an arch of faintly brilliant light. An 
Aurora of similar appearance was observed in the Atlantic during the return 
of the Isabella, in October 1818, from Davis’ Strait to Shetland. The pecu- 
liarities of the present phenomenon were more marked in the commencement 
than towards the conclusion of its appearance.” 
Wed. 13. On the 13th, which was nearly calm, the bay-ice had so much in- 
creased in thickness that the Hecla could not be moved through it, with 
the assistance of the boats, two of which were rendered unserviceable by 
the ice cutting their planks. We were off a small inlet, which, together 
with some islands discovered on this part of the coast, will be found upon 
the chart. 
Thur. 14. On the 14th, having been set at liberty from the bay-ice by a breeze 
springing up, I determined to occupy no more time in the endeavour to get 
immediately along shore to the south-east, where the obstructions remained 
as before, but to run back a short distance along the ice to the northward, in 
order to endeavour to get round it if possible, and then to stretch in again 
towards the land. The ice had closed so much all round us, however, that 
we had some difficulty in finding a passage out of our present confined situ- 
ation, which we at length effected before noon, passing by a chain of ice- 
bergs which were found to be aground in thirty-five to fifty fathoms, and 
which extending four or five leagues from the shore, sufficiently account for 
the obstruction offered by the floes in this place. 
The temperature of the water at the bottom in thirty-five fathoms was 31°|, 
on the surface 32°, that of the air being 34°. A small fish, apparently of the 
whiting kind, was seen upon a piece of ice, and a great many black whales 
were near us in the course of this and the preceding day. 
The extraordinary fine and clear weather which we experienced in the 
first fortnight of September is a circumstance worthy of remark : during that 
period, we had very little snow, and not one whole day’s foggy weather. 
The fog was, perhaps, in some measure, avoided by keeping close in shore, 
as we occasionally perceived fog-banks in the offing, while we were enjoying 
clear weather near the land. 
