EXPEDITION PREPARING. 
179 
perhaps, to be found in the alternate action of the tides 
and frost; but it would be out of place to enter upon 
the discussion here. 
“March 18, Saturday.—To day our spring-tides gave 
to the massive ice which sustains our little vessel a 
rise and fall of seventeen feet. The crunching and 
grinding, the dashing of the water, the gurgling of the 
eddies, and the toppling over of the nicely-poised ice- 
tables, were unlike the more brisk dynamics of hum- 
ICE-BELT AND FLOE. 
mock action, but conveyed a more striking expression 
of power and dimension. 
“The thermometer at four o’clock in the morning 
was minus 49°; too cold still, I fear, for our sledgemen 
to set out. But we packed the sledge and strapped on 
the boat, and determined to see how she would drag. 
Eight men attached themselves to the lines, but were 
scarcely able to move her. This may be due in part 
to an increase of friction produced by the excessive 
cold, according to the experience of the Siberian tra¬ 
vellers; but I have no doubt it is principally caused by 
