erity. Of the latter we have no means of judging, there
being no record, that I am aware of, of the temperature of that or any
other winter passed in the higher latitudes; but, on comparing our
Meteorological Register with some others kept during the corresponding
season and about the same latitude,[028] it does appear that, though no
material difference is observable in the mean temperature of the
atmosphere, the quantity of rain which we experienced is considerably
greater than usual; and it is well known how very rapidly ice is
dissolved by a fall of rain. At all events, from whatever cause it may
have arisen, it is certain that, about the meridian on which we
proceeded northward in the boats, the sea was in a totally different
state from what Phipps experienced, as may be seen from comparing our
accounts--his ship being closely beset, near the Seven Islands, for
several days about the beginning of August; whereas the Hecla, in the
beginning of June, sailed about in the same neighbourhood without
obstruction, and, before the close of July, not a piece of ice could be
seen from Little Table Island.

I may add, in conclusion, that, before the middle of August, when we
left the ice in our boats, a ship might have sailed to the latitude, of
82 deg. almost without touching a piece of ice; and it was the general
opinion among us, that, by the end of that month, it would probably have
been no very difficult matter to reach the parallel of 83 deg., about the
meridian of the Seven Islands.

THE END.

FOOTNOTES

[001] This name being applied by the Esquimaux to several other portions
of land, all of which are insular, or nearly so, it is probable that the
word simply signifies an island.

[002] The expression "fixed ice" appearing better suited to our present
obstacle than that of "land ice," I shall in future adopt it in speaking
of this barrier.

[003] Lest it should be thought that this account is exaggerated, I may
here state, that, as a matter of curiosity, we one day tried how much a
lad, scarcely full grown, would, if freely supplied, consume in this
way. The under-mentioned articles were weighed before being given to
him; he was twenty hours in getting through them, and certainly did not
consider the quantity extraordinary.

lb. oz.
Seahorse flesh, hard frozen 4 4
Ditto, boiled 4 4
Bread and bread-dust