193 STUDIES OF NATURE. 



We obferve the fame effecls in our own gardens, 

 toward the clofe of Winter. The ice which covers 

 the gravel on the alleys, melts firfl ; afterward 

 that which is on the earth, and laft of all, that 

 which is in the bafons. The fufion of this, too, 

 begins at the brink, and the length of time necef- 

 fary to complete it, is in proportion to the extent 

 of the bafon ; fo that the central part, or that 

 which is fartheft from the earth, is, likewife, the 

 laft that dilTolves. 



There can remain, therefore, not the flighted 

 fhadow of doubt, that the Poles are covered with 

 a cupola of ice, conformably to the experience of 

 Navigators, and the dilates of natural reafon. We 

 have taken a glance of the icy dome of our own 

 Pole, which covers it, in Winter, to an extent of 

 more than two thoufand leagues over the Conti- 

 nents. It is not fo eafy to determine it's elevation 

 at the centre, and under the very Pole -, but the 

 height muft be immenfe. 



Aftronomy fometimes prefents, in the Heavens, 

 an image of it fo confiderable, that the rotundity 

 of the Earth feems to be remarkably affefted by it. 



I take the liberty of quoting, what I find, on 

 this fubjeél, in an Englifli Author of note, 



Chi/drey, 



