ARCTIC VOYAGES. 
177 
were shot. Holmes and I went away in the evening to look for seals, 
taking a Halkett’s boat with us, but after waiting patiently for some 
time, none appeared. A stove was put up in the steerage in the after¬ 
noon, making it very comfortable. 
“ September 1st. Ho new appearances to day; the ice still surround¬ 
ing us, and no prospect of getting out, so we have all (almost) made up 
our minds to be content to lose a year, although this must be very trying, 
to the captain most especially, and to the expedition as a whole, incurring 
more expense, and keeping back the objects of the expedition for twelve 
months longer. One or two seals were shot to-day. Preparations are 
being made for the winter housing, and for stores on deck, and different 
parts of the ship. The sun presented a most remarkable appearance to¬ 
night as he sank beneath the horizon: a true grass-green ball, whilst the 
clouds immediately in the neighbourhood were of a deep golden hue. 
“2nd. Ice, ice everywhere, and not a lead; different large pools of 
water appear in the distance ahead of us, but we are enclosed in the ice, 
and cannot get at them. At present the only good they are to us consists 
in their being places of ‘ resort’ for the seals, three of which were shot 
to day. There is little wind, but a thick fog or mist enveloped us all 
day, and still continues. The evenings are getting short, and were it 
not for the snow, after 9 o’clock we could not see much around us. Three 
planets have been visible for the last two or three days. 
“ 3rd. The ‘ barber’ has been at work ; the rigging and all on deck 
presented a curious sight this morning; there had been a sharp frost 
during the night, and the ropes were ‘ feathered’ over with small crys¬ 
talline plumes, about half an inch long, remaining all day. It has been 
rather cold to -day, but no fog, at least near us. One or two sledges have 
been lashed to day, and winter preparations are still going on. A slight 
Aurora was seen last night. 
“ 4th. This morning there was a slight mist, so that the land could 
not be seen, and, as the sky was overcast, our true position could not be 
ascertained. Three seals were shot yesterday. To-day was comparatively 
cold. Dip observations were made last evening and this morning. Some 
snow during the day, and just now there is a slight fall. Day after day 
our small chance of escape gets smaller by degrees, and soon, I suppose, 
will be reduced to a nonentity. Two seals shot, and one black whale 
wounded. To-day I was engaged preparing iodide of potassium paper 
for ozone experiments; observations to be made every twelve hours,—- 
9 a. m. and 9 p. m. To-morrow morning I commence. 
“ 5th. To-day there has been very little mist, but the sky was over¬ 
cast ; the land was very plainly seen, especially in the evening. The 
ozone paper was put up, and satisfactory results obtained in the evening. 
The deep-sea lead and thermometer were lowered, and bottom was found 
in eighty-two fathoms ; a bottle of the water was procured; observa¬ 
tions were taken at different depths. The dredge was lowered, and plenty 
of mud, with granite, quartz, and gneiss pebbles, were obtained; also 
numerous animal specimens were found in spots; some mud also pro¬ 
cured. Six seals were shot this evening. The presence of this mud bank 
had not been previously ascertained. 
