4 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap, 
caused by the unequal heating and oscillatory motion of the 
lower stratum of the atmosphere, the open water may have been 
of great extent. Perhaps the statement of the natives was 
correct, that it extended as far as Behring s Straits. But we 
could not now place complete reliance on their statements, since 
we had rewarded with extra treating some predictions, relating 
THE EN(!AMPMENT PITEEKAJ ABANDONED BY ITS INHABITANTS ON THE 18TH FEBRUARY, 1879. 
(After a drairing by O. Nordqiiist.) 
to ice and weather, that were favourable to us. Even between 
the vessel’s anchorage and the land various cracks had been 
formed, through which the sea water had forced its way under 
the snow, and in* which some of us got cold foot or leg baths 
during our walks to and from the land. 
The Chukches at Irgunnuk were now successful in killing a 
Polar bear and seventy seals, of which some were ostentatiously 
set up in rows, along with frozen slices of blubber, along the 
outer walls of the tents, and others were laid down in the 
