DRIFTING IGF . 
143 
from the north ; our impression inclined to the former 
theory, and for the simple reason that is obvious to 
our senses, for when closely packed, the wind causes 
an undulating motion to be imparted to the sea, and 
this motion has the effect of rocking the ice to and fro, 
so that it opens out naturally from the action given to 
the back water; each separate mass acting on its imme¬ 
diate neighbour is forced by widening the space by 
concussion to leave narrow channels between, and the 
lesser blocks being lighter, drift rapidly along, while 
the larger blocks having a greater draught move more 
slowly. Presently the whole mass is trending towards 
the south, streaming as it goes into wide estuaries, 
leaving bays of various extent and ever-changing form 
as they go ; our good ship is under the same influences, 
and our men are nearly worn out in their continual 
efforts to fend off the dangers that every moment crop 
up around us—at one time we are all intent upon this 
work, now the ice drifting down threatens to grind us up 
between the floes, some are more than an acre in area, 
these seem to close upon us for our destruction; the 
next moment, the danger being averted, we are making 
sail in a clear lake of considerable extent, and also 
trending southwards. One thing appears certain— 
many whaling captains confirming our observation— 
that the ice never streams towards the north, any 
