and other marine animals, prized for their furs, were numerous on certain parts of the ice, and hunting expeditions frequently left the land to capture them. One of these proceeded far to the north, and reached the edge of the field, where there were many coves and headlands formed by the ice. Here myriads of sea-birds made their home, and were easily captured by the hunters, who made a camp, and remained for some time in order to collect a quantity of eggs and feathers. They saw the great mountains of ice break off from the field, and leave their ancient home for the north.
"While watching the interesting progress of one of these wanderers of the deep, they noticed a piece of wood drifting towards them. This was a very unusual occurrence, and centred their attention. Nearer and nearer it came over the playful waves, till at length it could be reached by one of their long spears. On taking it up, they found that it had been cut from a tree which was strange to the forests of Neuroomia, and, more wonderful than this, the emblems of the tribe of Gulpanzi were carved on either side. They suspected it to be hollow, and as it was partly decayed, one blow on the ice sufficed to send it to pieces, when a limpy substance, resembling a fold of bark, dropped from
