A VOYAGE TO 
252 
i 779 , latitude, by obfervation at noon, was 70° 11', our longitude 
196° 15', and the depth of water fixteen fathoms. From this 
circumftance, we judged that the Icy Cape was now only at 
feven or eight leagues diftance; but, though the weather 
was in general clear, it was at the fame time hazy in the ho¬ 
rizon ; fo that we could not expert to fee it. 
In the afternoon, we faw two white bears in the water, 
to which we immediately gave chace in the jolly boat, and 
had the good fortune to kill them both. The larger, which 
probably was the dam of the younger, being fhot firft, the 
other would not quit it, though it might eafily have efcaped 
on the ice, whilft the men were reloading, but remained 
fwimming about, till, after being fired upon feveral times, 
it was Ihot dead. 
The dimenfions of the larger were as follow : 
Feet. Inches-. 
From the fnout to the end of the tail - - 7.2 
From the fnout to the Ihoulder-bone - 23 
Height of the Ihoulder - - 4 3 
Circumference near the fore-legs - 4 10 
Breadth of the fore-paw - - - 10 
* lb. 
Weight of the four quarters - - 436 
Weight of the four quarters of the fmalleft; 256 
On comparing the dimenfions of this with Lord Mul- 
grave’s white bear, they w^re found almoft exactly the 
fame, except in the circumference, where our’s fell exceed¬ 
ingly Ihort. 
Thefe animals afforded us a few excellent meals of frelh 
meat. The flefh had indeed a ffrong fhhy tafte, but was, 
in 
