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by the lighter ice-water, which is nearly fresh, and of less specific gravity.

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July 1. We were clear of the ice, and had a lower temperature than before obtained. If the flow of warm water came from the south, the surface-temperature would have been greater than any temperature as yet obtained, because of the absence of ice.

July 6.-This observation shows a gradual increase as far down as 200 fathoms. We were well in the ice, and were prevented from continuing our sounding operations. Little evaporation has taken place, owing to the closeness of the ice and the gradual increase of the temperature, with one exception, which occurred on the 18th of June, when a temperature of 48° was obtained, showing that the temperatures are materially affected by local causes, the closeness of the pack or the opening of the ice allowing evaporation to take place.

July 7.-Here, where the ice is close, there is a great difference between the surface temperature and that at the ice-foot. We pulled up a very beautiful description of star-fish (figured on the opposite page), which would not be likely to inhabit this warm current were it of volcanic origin.

July 10. The crew being required elsewhere, we could not continue our sounding experiments. The

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sounding shows a decrease of temperature, owing to the ice-water.

July 12. This remarkable sounding was carefully

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registered, specially by my friend, who saw the index before it was immersed, and immediately on its coming up. This shows a gradual increase of temperature towards the north, proving the current to come from the north; and its temperature being above that of the Gulf Stream, where it disperses itself, is a proof it is in no way connected with it.

The thermometer has since been examined by Mr.

L. P. Casella, who certifies that it "has been tested in the hydraulic press, as well as carefully compared with my standard, and found correct in every way, no change whatever having taken place in the instrument."

Temperatures taken by Capt. David Grey, of the Eclipse whaler:-

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April 13, 15, 20.—When these three soundings were taken the ship was frozen in the pack; still there is a slight increase of temperature at the lowest depth.

END OF OBSERVATIONS.

May 14th.-Off Bear Island.

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June 6, 8.-Here Eclipse was 75 miles inside the pack.

June 18, 23, July 3.-Made fast to a large floe, about 90 miles inside the pack.

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CHAPTER VI.

"Ye who love the haunts of nature,
Love the shadow of the forest,
Love the wind among the branches,
And the rushing of great rivers
Through the palisades of pine trees,
And the thunder of the mountains,
Whose innumerable echoes

Flap like eagles in the eyries,
Come not here."

TUESDAY, the 13th, brought the wind round to the westward, and the ice naturally began to slack off. We take advantage of every turn of the ice. Now a lane opens, and with sails set we glide over the space without impediment. All our object is to keep our schooner's bows to the eastward.

better than drift with the wind.

We can do no

The labour on

board is unceasing; the men at night are divided into parties by watch and watch, all hands by day. We adopt every plan we can devise to break off the "point-ends" with our long axes, ice-slices, and crowbars. The windlasses are continually at work, the warps are out, fastened to ice-anchors; these require continual shifting. The men force the ship through

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