EXPLANATION OF THE PLATES. Ivii 



at moft, from the North-Weft, or North-Eaft, according 

 TO the bearing of the bays into which they have pene- 

 trated. 



We have bcfides adduced, in fupport of this important 

 truth, the teftimony of the Navigators of North- America, 

 quoted by Denis, Governor of Canada, who atteft that the 

 Currents of the North annually convey, in Summer, to- 

 ward the South, long banks of floating ices, of a very con- 

 fiderable depth and elevation, which run a-ground fo far to 

 the South as the banks of Newfoundland : and, finally, we 

 have quoted the obfervation of Chrijiopher Columbus, who, 

 in a much more fouthern Latitude, nay, approaching to 

 the Tropic of Cancer, found, by experience, in September, 

 that the middle of the Atlantic channel run fouthward, and, 

 Confequently, defcended from the North. To thefe autho- 

 rities we might fubjoin thofe of a multitude of other Navi- 

 gators, who paid attention only to the driving of their fhips, 

 and were convinced, in Summer, of the exiftence of this 

 northern Current, without daring to admit it, or venturing 

 to oppofe their own experience to an Aftronomical Syftem, 

 which had got into vogue. 



But that I may omit notliing relating to a fubje£l fo ef- 

 fcntial to Navigation, and to the ftudy of Nature, and to 

 remove every poflibility of doubt as to the exiftence of this 

 northern Current in Summer, we iliall confine ourfelves to 

 a iingle obfervation, but connei^ed with a well-known hi- 

 llorical event. This obfervation is the lefs liable to fuf- 

 picion, that it is related without an intention tg favour any 

 one Syficm, by a Traveller, who was neither Pvlarincr nor 

 Naturalifi, and who deduced no other confequences from it, 

 except thpfe which concerned his fortune and his liberty. 



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