Upon the whole, there was good reason to believe, that no land was to be met with, under this meridian, between the latitude of fifty-five and fifty-nine, where some had been supposed to exist.
Amidst the obstructions Captain Cook was exposed to, from the ice islands which perpetually succeeded each other, he derived one advantage from them, and that was, a supply of fresh water.

Though the melting and stowing away of the ice takes up some time, and is, indeed, rather tedious, this method of watering is otherwise the most expeditious our commander had ever known.

The water produced was perfectly sweet and well tasted.

Upon the ice islands, penguins, albatrosses, and other birds were frequently seen.

It had hitherto been the received opinion, that such birds never go far from land, and that the sight of them is a sure indication of its vicinity.