73º 23′ S., and the variation 14º 40′ E. It is a curious fact, that although we caught numerous marine mollusca in the towing net yesterday, it was not until we got near the bergs that the beautiful diminutive argonaut (Argonauta arctica) of the Arctic seas was taken. Cape pigeons were now become more numerous, and the large albatross more rare. The sooty albatross was still seen in considerable numbers, as were also the dark and the blue petrel.
In the afternoon we hove to, and tried the temperature of the sea, to the depth of six hundred fathoms; after which we bore away under more moderate sail; the fog being very thick, great vigilance was necessary during the night, whilst running seven knots, to avoid bergs and enable the Terror to keep company.
As we had now attained that meridian on which I intended to penetrate to the antarctic seas, our course was changed to due south, which was also the most favourable for determining the situation of the several lines of equal magnetic intensity, leading directly across them; our observations had by this time shown that the supposed position of the second focus of greater intensity in this hemisphere was very distant from the truth, and that that point had yet to be sought far to the south.
But my chief object in selecting this meridian was the hope that it would lead to the discovery of land, which I was led to expect by reason of the low