69 
the west coast of Spitzbergen, the most 
southern part of which is in latitude 
78°. 
We were much impeded in our course 
by ice, which, according to the Green¬ 
land phrase, was very rank around us. 
■ 
The ship struck occasionally on masses 
of considerable size, to the no little sur¬ 
prise of those sailors who were making 
their first voyage hither. We had this 
day a piece of fresh beef cooked for din¬ 
ner, which we brought from England; 
it tasted as well, and was as full of juice 
as if newly killed; as did all the fowls 
which we got at Shetland : These were 
hung by the legs to a rope upon the 
quarter-deck; but neither plucked nor 
gutted. Our eggs likewise preserved 
their good taste. This proves the anti¬ 
septic power of intense cold. 
4th, Intense frost. Ice-bound, with 
several sail in company* 
