New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-10-18
THE POLARIS SEARCH.
GREENLAND AND GREENLANDERs.

UNITED STATES STEAMER IUNIATA UPERSAvIK
Greenland. Aug. S.-Al around us the sea il filled
with icebergs: hundreds of them arc within
sight some floating away and others taking
their places. These bergs. majestic in ap-
pearance. arc first formed into largo glaciers
by tho freezing of the and small streams
which arc continually pouring over tho noun
tains toward tho ocean; they become fragile in
the Summer, and lose their power of cohesion. and
tho enormous mass that overhangs the sea or has
become undermined by tho washing Of the water
becomes detached from the original mass and gen
orally floats away. drifting along down Batfns Bay
and Davis Strait until it reaches the ocean, where
the warmer waters Of the Gulf Stream cause
It to melt away Many Of them become stranded
upon tho shoals, where they remain for many years
as tho Summer is short That il has very little
effect upon them. The great number several humid
rodl Of cebergs now floating within sight of the yes
sci il of tho most magnificent spectacles OF ma
ture and they appear TO greater advantage "a tho
sun Is setting and throws its slanting rays upon
them clothing them with the most yaregated coIors
Added to this is the beautiful effect Of the many
little cascades formed by the melting ice, which it
would seem ought to decrease the bulk of the berg
very rapidly though the fact il that io0bergs melt
very slowly.
In South Greenland the bergs acted upon very
seDsbly by the temperature of the atmosphere being
above that of tho sea water and frequently large
pieces detach themselves from an iceberg and fall
into the sea with tremendous noise resembling
the simultaneous report of several large guns, filling
large space surrounding tho berg with Fragments
and threatening danger to anything within It's
vicinity In North Greenland these explosions are
more frequent on account Of the greater number Of
| berps which are not acted upon by tho heat OF the
sun to such "A degree they are by the water salt
water il a much better solvent of ice than fresh
! wafer and the atmosphere being colder than tho
water. the portion underneath the water IL reduced
more randy than that above. When assure mas
| been formed tho berg often splits apart, OF III
time loses its equilibrium and topples over causing
heavy undnlations of the sea for great distance,
| foIowed by "a report IA of olapping Of hands. The
report caused by the exploding berg increases with
ts size.
The officer Of the deck sent word below. yester-
day. that berg was rolling over near the entrance
Of the harbOr | went up to 500 it. and was on deck
several minutes before it, regainod its equilibrium
In foggy weather. which Is 30 frequent here, we
have been obliged to slackeD speed for fear OF run
ming down an iceberg. which would have a tendency
to do more damage to ia than to the berg The fOgs
here are SO dense chat 1t Is impossible TO see more
than two ships lengths ahead Of us, and several
times we have seen suddenly loom ND before US
large berg, surrounded by peculiar black
ness in the atmosphere, and instantly tho order.
" lard a starbOard." or Hard a port is given,
followed by signal to stop and reverse the engines
Everybody must keep sharp lookout at these
times and our people on duty have proved their
efficiency. Another of tho beauties of the Arctic
regions is the effect of mirage. We had three such
scenes at Godhavn. Julianshaab, 40 miles dis
Ia af hon me
from the ships deck was beautifully outlined above
the horizon showing tho contour of its mountains
while the icobergs were in an inverted position a.
suming the appearance Of architectural figures OF
several kinds
ESQUlMAUS- CLIMATE.
The Esdnmaiix. with his long black hair and
coppsry complexion. is not unlike tho Indian. The
prominence of his broad. high cheek bones nearly
hides the nose when his profile is presented. Ills
complexion gradually grows to darker shade,
owing TO the neglect Of additions though few of
them. and few indeed, are very neat and tidy;
bnt this is among the women and they are much
lighter in complexion. This want of cleanliness is
undoubtedly attributable TO the severity Of the
climate which is partial excuse for these people.
who live in a semi-barbarous state. The women,
who are dressed neatly than the men. quite
novel in appearance to us, but their dress Is adm
rably adapted to their country.
The climate of Greenland is considered by the
Danes As very healthy, and the natives seldom die
Of any other disease than consumption, which is
very prevalent among the EsquimauN, and ~ no
doubt contracted through their careless habits.
The hut Is a simple building of stone (boarded
up on the insidel with a layer of turf ON the
outside. and long, low tunnel entrance about
10 or - feet in length opening to the south This
hut is about II feet square aud six feet high with
two windows in the side which are blocked up
with turf during the Winter 80 as to keep the cold
ont. This room ia generally supplied with stove,
in which peat is burned for they have other kind
of fuel Thoro is always in these huts close, de-
pressing atmosphere, while outside, especially on
foggy day the atmosphere is cold These people sit
in the house sewing, &c, with their heavy seal-skln
clothing on and will in and out OF doors, make
visits and attend their dances. without making any
addition to their clothing reducing 1t when they
return TO their homes Then family of six eight
sleep in this same roOm on platform which serves
"A bed lying very close together and breathing the
same atmosphere over and over.
IIcHENs-BEARs AND REINDEEE.
The vegetation of Greenland is very slight Moth
ing grows here except lchens moss and the willow,
which latter takes the form of a raining vine. |
have not seen a shrub nor plant that was than
six or eight inches high. But this slight vegetation
not only furnishes food for the reindeer and BEAR
hnt also furnishes all of the fuel for the natives
The severity of the climate does not permit any
pant to grow to any hight, and there is scarcely
any soil the roots do not rot; consequently III the
course of few years the soil is so full of these
6hrous roots that all that is necessary is to cut out
and allow the moisture 10 dry ont of it, and then it
ia in condition TO nse rs fuel. There are many
mounds of this peat along the rocks on shore ready
for consumption during the coming Winter. which
IA randly drawing near. Already the sun has COM