20 
GREENLAND VOYAGE 
200 years in attaining this size. This extreme 
slowness of its growth, seemed to mark it as the 
product of a very high latitude. Many of the 
drift-trees that I have seen near Spitzbergen, re¬ 
tained the roots: some seemed to have been torn 
from their hold by torrents; but others, having 
the marks of fire upon them, near the roots, ap¬ 
peared to have had this agent applied to them for 
their removal. 
On the 18th* in latitude 66°49', longitude 3° W. 
we again fell in with ice. As I considered the 
spring too far advanced for the seal-fishery, which 
is generally the most profitable about the end of 
March or beginning of April, I was desirous of 
reaching the higher fishing stations with as little 
delay as possible. For this purpose, it was ne¬ 
cessary to keep at a distance from the ice,—since 
the prevalence of east and south-east winds at 
this season, is frequently the means of altogether 
detaining vessels caught on the face of the ice, 
whilst others in the offing accomplish their pas¬ 
sage up to the fishing stations. By steering suf¬ 
ficiently to the eastward, below the 72d degree 
at least, detention from this cause may almost 
certainly be avoided; as the ice follows pretty 
nearly the direction of the east coast of Green¬ 
land, and adheres to this shore, leaving the oppo¬ 
site coast of Norway always free. We, therefore. 
