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Possession is on the very meridian which crosses it, and fifteen degrees within the verge. These facts do not need a

comment.

The open sea, which is reported to be found about the poles, has been adduced as a strong evidence in favour of the new theory. As to the north pole, we may now, perhaps, consider this as doubtful, as it is certainly not confirmed by the results of the late voyages. Still it is very possible, that, in summer, the currents may carry the ice into lower latitudes, so as to leave the polar regions comparatively free. The south pole is differently circumstanced; and, in the late voyage of captain Weddell, this enterprising navigator reached the latitude of seventy-four and a quarter degrees south, and there left a clear and navigable sea, although he had passed much ice in the lower latitudes. But the explanation which he gives of this fact, is much more rational than that of our theorist. "It distinctly appears to me," he remarks, "that the conjecture of captain Cook, that field ice is formed and proceeds from land, and is not formed in the open sea, is true. Hence, in the latitude of seventy-four degrees fifteen minutes south, I found a sea perfectly clear of field ice; whereas, in the latitude of sixtyone degrees thirty minutes, about one hundred miles from the land, I was beset in heavy packed ice."

The migration of the animals of the arctic regions to the north in winter, and their return to the south in summer, is strongly asserted, and it is of course imagined, that they retreat into the inner earth for comfortable quarters. To this argument we reply, that it is not supported by facts. The deer, musk ox, and other quadrupeds, mentioned by our author, are not properly migratory animals, and their occasional changes of situation are irregular, and seem to be governed only by the search of food. We might refer to many authorities in proof of this fact, but one of the latest and best for our present purpose, is Franklin, who accomplished the perilous journey to the shores of the polar sea. He expressly states, in many places, that the quadrupeds in question, remained among them during the whole winter. Thus: "the musk oxen, like the buffalo, herd together in bands, and generally frequent the low grounds during the summer months, keeping near the banks of the river, but retire to the woods in winter." Again: "Michel tried to persuade me to go to the woods on the Coppermine river, where he said he could maintain himself all the winter by killing deer." Again: "The commencement of April was fine, and for several days a considerable thaw took place in the heat of the sun, which, laying bare some of the lichens on the VOL. I. NO. 1.

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sides of the hills, produced a consequent movement of the rein-deer to the northward, and induced the Indians to believe that the spring was already commencing." With regard to the other animals mentioned, we believe the author to be equally mistaken in his facts, particularly as to the migratory fish, whose winter retreat is probably in the deep sea, where the temperature is uniform and moderate.

But, according to our author, the Esquimaux themselves also go to the north in winter, to enjoy the comforts of the pole. In proof of this, the only direct evidence that is adduced, is a conversation that took place with the first natives met with by captain Ross, in his voyage to Baffin's Bay. It is thus related in the original narrative:

"These men first pointed to the ships, eagerly asking what great creatures those were: do they come from the sun or the moon? do they give us light by night or by day?' Sacheuse (the interpreter) told them he was a man, that he had a father and mother, like themselves; and, pointing to the south, said that he came from a distant country in that direction. To this they answered,

that cannot be, there is nothing but ice there.' They again asked, what creatures these were,' pointing to the ships; to which Sacheuse replied, that they were houses built of wood.' This they seemed to discredit, answering, no, they are alive, we have seen them move their wings.' Sacheuse now inquired of them, what they themselves were; to which they replied, they were men, and lived in that direction,' pointing to the north; that there was much water there; and that they had come here to fish for sea unicorns." "

From this conversation our author infers, that "these people must live in a country not composed of ice, for it seems they deem such an one uninhabitable; and, if the relation be true, the climate north of where they then were becomes more mild, and is habitable; a change, the cause of which is not easily accounted for on the old philosophic principles." Now it happens that this mysterious country was but a short distance from the place where the interview occurred; that it was, soon after, visited by captain Ross; and that he examined and describes the nature of the country, its produce, inhabitants, language, mode of living, manners, customs, and religion." It is situate between the latitudes of seventy-six degrees and seventy-seven degrees forty minutes north, and the longitudes sixty degrees and seventy degrees west.

"The inhabitants," says this navigator, "exist in a corner of the world by far the most secluded which has yet been discover, ed, and have no knowledge of any thing but what originates, or

is found in their own country; nor have they any tradition how they came to this spot, or from whence they came, having, until the moment of our arrival, believed themselves to be the only inbabitants of the universe, and that all the rest of the world was a mass of ice."

The party of Esquimaux that built their snow huts in the vicinity of captain Parry's ships, in his second voyage, may also serve to show the fallacy of our author's notion, as to the winter quarters of these people. They seem to have chosen this situation only because it suited them for taking seals and walrusses; certainly not for its warmth, for the thermometer was frequently at fifty degrees below zero. In the spring, they went to the north-west, to fish and kill deer; and they returned to their former quarters, in the following winter. The course of their migrations, then, was the reverse of that indicated by the new theory.

The immense distance at which objects are said to be seen occasionally in the polar regions, is another fact brought by our author in support of his theory, and which he thinks can only be explained, by supposing, that, at the verge, "were the power of vision strong enough, objects might be seen around the sphere, as they would be in an exact plane with the observer." Now the optical fact alluded to, was one of a series of phenomena due to the extraordinary refraction which is called looming, and which is occasionally witnessed in all latitudes. Let us hear what captain Ross says on this subject.—

"The objects on the horizon were often most wonderfully raised by the powers of refraction, while others, at a short distance from them, were as much sunk. These objects were continually varying in shape; the ice had sometimes the appearance of an immense wall on the horizon, with here and there a space resembling a breach in it; icebergs, and even small pieces of ice, had often the appearance of trees; and while on one side, we had the resemblance of a forest near us, the pieces of ice, on the other side, were so greatly lengthened, as to look like long low islands. We were often able to see land at an immense distance, and we have certain proof that the power of vision was extended beyond one hundred and fifty miles. I made many observations with my sextant on the phenomena just described, and often found the same object increase in its altitude half a degree in the course of a few minutes. The high rock off cape Dudley Digges, was observed to increase in altitude from two to five degrees, within an hour; in the course of the next half hour, it decreased to the appearance of a speck on the water, and soon after it became like a long low island, in which shape it remained for some hours, when it resumed its natural shape."

The last argument that we shall mention, (for it is time to bring this discussion to a close,) is contained in the following paragraph:

"Those appearances observed in the southern hemisphere, which are termed Magellanic clouds, by navigators, have not, so far as I know, been accounted for. They are three in number, of an irregular shape, and observed by night in the south Atlantic, and the south-east parts of the Pacific oceans, (reversed from New-Holland and New-Zealand,) but never visible in the eastern parts of the Indian ocean: their colour is like that of far distant mountains, on which the sun is shining. In the one sea they appear due south, and in the other to the left. They are stationary, appearing perpetually fixed at a certain height, and in a particular situation, as viewed from any given place. The stars and the heavens, in their diurnal revolutions, sweep by them, and they remain the same. To the navigator, who proceeds to the east or west, they appear to be more or less to the right or left of the meridian, in proportion as he changes his longitude; and as he sails south, they increase in height, until they reach the zenith, and finally become north, when seen by an observer south of the straits of Magellan, which is in latitude fifty-two degrees south. Captain Symmes accounts for the appearance of these clouds by the great refractive power of the atmosphere about the polar openings; causing the opposite side of the verge to appear pictured in the sky, as navigators inform us objects do sometimes appear, in the arctic regions; and in the manner Scoresby's ship appeared in the sky, with every particular about her so accurately represented, as to be at once identified by the observers, though the vessel, at that time, was at such a distance as to render it rather incredible how she could be seen at all. As proof of this position, captain Symmes alleges, that the relative position, shape, and proportions of these clouds, agree in their general outlines with the southern part of New-Zealand, the south-east part of New-Holland, and the whole of Van-Dieman's land, which are situated on, and near to the verge of the sphere, opposite to where the clouds are visible. These clouds are only seen in the night, when the atmosphere is clear, at which time the sun is shining on the islands in question."

Strange as it may seem, the statements which are here made respecting the Magellanic clouds, are wholly unfounded. These meteors are in fact nebulæ, composed of clusters of telescopic stars, like the milky way; have their fixed place in the heavens, like the other constellations; and revolve regularly about the pole in twenty-four hours. All this is so notorious, that it is astonishing how the whole Symmes school could have remained ignorant of it. Even a common celestial globe would have shown them these constellations, near the

south pole, under the names of Nebula major, and Nebula minor. Of the many authorities to which we might refer, in proof of our assertions, we shall cite the oldest. The celebrated Robert Boyle describes these appearances as "clouds that some navigators mention as seen towards the south pole, and to move about the pole in twenty-four hours." He also gives a letter from Thomas Mackrith, dated in 1685-6, in which the writer says:

"I likewise did particularly observe those commonly called the Magellanic clouds, which consist of a greater and a lesser, and are to my judgment, composed of a great number of small, invisible stars, much of the nature of the via lactea. They have a due course like other constellations, and constantly the lesser followed the greater in rising and setting."

Our author next gives a chapter, on what the Symmesites call mid-plane spaces, and explains, by their aid, earthquakes, and volcanoes, and sundry other phenomena. Our readers will readily excuse us from entering into a discussion of these mat

'ters.

One of the favourite projects of the adherents of Symmes's theory, is the establishment of an expedition to explore the inner earth. Our author devotes a chapter to this subject; and the master of the sect is now travelling, from place to place, and, like a second Peter the Hermit, zealously preaching up a crusade to this Holy Land. We are gravely told, that, to judge by the size of the seals, and bears, [and Esquimaux,] which come from the interior of the globe, it must be better suited for animal life than the portion which has fallen to our lot, so that by emigrating to this land of promise, we may probably be relieved from many of the evils to which mankind are subjected here above. If our old-fashioned philosophy be correct, however, we fear that this desirable change can never be effected, and that we must be content to finish the journey of life, in the less comfortable condition of outside passengers.

The work is concluded by a biographical notice of the founder of the new theory. That posterity may not, as in the case of Homer and other great men, dispute about his birthplace, it is announced that this distinguished honour belongs to our sister state of New-Jersey. It appears that he fought bravely during the late war, and has since sustained an excellent character; and we are certainly not disposed to deny, that a very unsound philosopher, may be a gallant soldier and an estimable man.

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