FORMATION OF ICEBERGS. 243 
fields 01 icebergs, by the consolidation of a stra¬ 
tum of these icy-nodules and crystals, admits of a 
very easy explanation. It is only necessary to sup¬ 
pose, that when the surface is still in a loose state, 
it is cooled down to a low temperature by a keen 
frost, and then visited by a wetting fog or shower 
of rain : in this state, it is evident, that the mois¬ 
ture received among the icy-crystals will be con¬ 
solidated, so long as their temperature remains 
below the freezing point, and that even after this, 
if the consolidation be merely sufficient to pre¬ 
vent the escape of the rain-water, a recurrence of 
the frost will convert the whole into a solid stra¬ 
tum of ice. 
August, 9th -—The wind, which for several 
days in succession had blown from the south¬ 
ward or south-westward, now shifted to the oppo¬ 
site quarter. It soon increased to a stiff gale, 
and was attended by an incessant fall of rain. 
Having failed in our hopes of falling in with 
whales, in the various directions we had searched 
at a distance from the land, it was agreed, at a 
consultation held with my Father and Captain 
Floyd, that we should as a last effort revisit the 
coast. This was a measure to which I was strong¬ 
ly inclined, both on account of some little expec¬ 
tation that I still indulged of meeting with 
whales, and, in the event of failing in this, 
Q 2 
