328 REMARKS ON A FLOATING ISLAND. 



upon the margin of the island, overhang the 

 water with considerable obHquity; owing, pro- 

 bably, to the roots being brought to a great 

 degree of tension, and preventing the exterior 

 part from rising with the center. It is not 

 entirely detached from the bed of the pond, but 

 seems to be a kind of stratum peeled off, from 

 the solid parts below. In passing across its 

 surface, the whole island is considerably agitated, 

 and presents a waving appearance, like the sea; 

 you are toiling continually to ascend, as though 

 it were a surface of flexible ice." 



I think the foregoing account of the floating 

 island of Newbury -Port, is somewhat defective, 

 in not giving the extent of the pond, in which 

 it is situated. I understand from travellers, 

 that what are called ponds in America, are 

 some of them as large as most of our English 

 lakes ; but from the description of its situation, 

 and the circumstance of its being dry in the 

 summer months, it may be inferred, that this 

 is not of very large dimensions. It would also 

 have been more satisfactory, had it stated the 

 thickness of the stratum of earth, forming the 

 island, and whether any water is to be found 

 underneath it in the dry season; as well as at 



