314 
Mr Jameson s Narrative of a 
On the 15th, we bore away to the northward, with a determi- 
nation to await the breaking up of the ice, should a passage be 
still impervious. On the 18th, we passed close by the north 
side of Hare Island., without meeting with any obstacle, — a cir- 
cumstance much to the satisfaction of every one on board, ex- 
cept myself, who would have been very well pleased had we been 
detained here for a few days. I had, till now, cherished the 
hope of acquiring some additional knowledge of the natural his- 
tory of this island, or at least of collecting specimens of those 
plants I had before observed ; but now that we have got to the 
northward, it is doubtful whether I shall have an opportunity 
of landing upon any part of the Greenland coast, or adjacent 
islands. 
Nothing occurred to stop our course to the northward till 
abreast of the Women Islands, in about Lat. 73°. Here 
were several very large floes, which we were apprehensive 
would detain us for some time. However, by dint of towing 
and warping among them, we soon got into open water, and 
pursued our course to the northward. 
With regard to the appearance of the coast, I may observe, 
that betwixt Lat. 71° and 73 o, it is less high, and of a more 
uniform appearance, than any where to the southward. Be- 
yond this, in Lat. 73° 40', as seen from the ship, it seems to be 
entirely composed of a red coloured rock, broken in many 
places, into precipices of a considerable height. The tops of 
the mountains are, besides, more rounded than to the south- 
ward. Of the latter description there is a remarkably high 
mountain, situated in about Lat. 73° 50', which being perfectly 
conical, with a rounded summit, has been hence termed Sugar 
Loaf Hill. More interiorly the valleys are completely filled 
with snow and ice, presenting to the eye an almost uninterrupt- 
ed surface, on which no trace of land can be observed. 
In Lat. 74°, and about five miles from the mainland, are 
three small flat islands, the haunt of myriads of sea fowl. Of 
these the various species of duck being the most abundant, they 
have been hence termed Duck Islands. There the crews of the 
different ships often supply themselves with eggs, which, at this 
season, may be collected in great quantities. On the 26th 
June, being becalmed at the distance of about a mile from one 
