264 HOW SUCCESS MAY BE ATTAINED. 



forbid the great accumulation of ice, which, during the 

 months of winter, is at present known to occur. 



To the same cause, if the supposition be admitted, the 

 destruction of the polar icy continent or glacier may be 

 assigned — the operation of the sun's rays, and also the 

 centrifugal action of the earth aiding that operation. 

 Under this double influence, the immense bergs are rent 

 off from the original mass, borne southwards by the pre- 

 vailing current, and occasionally urged by the wind, and 

 seldom pass the latitude of Staten Hook before they be- 

 come finally dissolved. Now if this destruction go on for 

 some years longer, the icy continent must at length dis- 

 appear ; such immense fragments being annually torn from 

 its sides, and no increase supplying their place, those seas 

 will become open at an earlier period than heretofore, and 

 consequently more generally and safely navigable. In that 

 event, which is predicted in the genuine spirit of a con- 

 viction of its accuracy, and I would add certainty, it may 

 not be irrelevant to add some observations regarding Disko 

 Island, as it may hereafter stand connected with the con- 

 cerns of British commerce. 



