62 
of black, stupendous precipices ; and in 
others lofty eminences covered with 
snow. 
The ears of people approaching this 
island are incessantly assailed with the 
sounds of the impetuous waves dashing 
against the rugged shores; the crashing 
collision of floating ice ; the discordant 
notes of innumerable birds; the barking of 
arctic foxes; the snorting of walruses,* and 
the dreadful roaring of the polar bears. 
The currents near the island are re¬ 
markably rapid, which renders it imprac¬ 
ticable to cast anchor within two miles 
of it, where soundings can be had at 
twenty or thirty fathoms. Vid. Forster, 
p. 329. 
In 1604, this island was visited by a 
ship commanded by Stephen Bennet, 
who, in this and many succeeding voy¬ 
ages, killed prodigious numbers of sea- 
* These animals have been found here, lying 
huddled together, a thousand in a heap. 
5 
