of the Admiralty. Its elevation above the sea was two thousand seven hundred and sixty feet, and its diameter was about twice as much.
In the evening the wind came from the northeast, and we made an attempt to force our way through the loose ice, but it closed so rapidly upon us that we were soon beset, and compelled to make fast to a floe of two or three miles in diameter. Bergs of the barrier form were numerous, and one of them, which was our inconveniently close companion the whole day, measured between four and five miles in diameter and one hundred and fifty feet high.
Jan. 2.Whilst fast to this floe, we had a good opportutunity of comparing our magnetic instruments, and were gratified to find the results most satisfactory and accordant. At noon we were in latitude 64° 2′ S., and longitude 56° 11′ W., the magnetic dip 63° 17′ S., and the variation 20° 53′ E., by observations on the ice; we obtained soundings in one hundred and fifty-two fathoms, on blue mud. The smaller kind of penguins was in great numbers, and afforded much amusement to our people, scrambling through the deep snow after them; three of the great penguins were also captured: the largest weighed sixty-eight pounds.
At 1 30 p.m. we cast off from the floe, and gained a tolerably clear space; but the Terror, being further to leeward, remained beset for three hours longer, when by great exertions they succeeded in getting out, and rejoined us just before a