370 
GREENLAND VOYAGE. 
clear. This covering of cloud was so thick, con¬ 
sisting of innumerable patches of compact cumu¬ 
li, that the light transmitted through it, gave 
to the land the effect of a gloomy panorama; 
while the bright specks of sun-beam that occasion¬ 
ally broke through, and cast a brilliant light on 
different sublime promontories, cliffs, or elevated 
peaks, produced a variety and changeableness of 
appearance, similar to that given by an unequally 
illuminated phantasmagoria. The effect was at 
once surprising and beautiful. The squalls expe¬ 
rienced, under the elevated cliffs of Faroe, are 
often exceedingly fierce. They seem to be occa¬ 
sioned by some retarding force on the wind, (whe¬ 
ther electrical or not, is difficult to ascertain),ex¬ 
erted by the higher hills, until the obstruction 
produces such a condensed and accumulated mass 
of air, that at length overcomes the attractive or 
retarding force, and bursts upon any leeward ob¬ 
jects it may encounter, with a degree of violence 
that endangers the masts of shipping, and throws 
the waters into foam. 
September 7th. —The sea in the night was lu¬ 
minous, in large globular spots,—probably the ef¬ 
fect of a continuation of the numerous large me¬ 
dusa: seen the preceding evening. The wind v'as 
on the whole fair, but our progress to the south- 
