238 ACCOUNT OF THF. ATICTIC REGIONS. 



All the ice floating in tl^e sea, is generally rough 

 and uneven on the surface, and, during the greater 

 part of the year, covered with snow. Even newly- 

 formed ice, that is free from snow, is so rough and 

 soft, that it cannot be skaited on. 



Under water, the colour of the ice varies with 

 the colour of the sea ; in blue water, it is blue, and 

 in green water, green, and of deeper shades in 

 proportion to its depth. In the thickest olive-green 

 coloured water, its colour, far beneath the surface, 

 appears brownish. 



SECT. II. 



On the Fo7inaHon of Ice on the Sea. 



Some naturalists have been at considemble pains 

 to endeavour to explain the phenomena of the pro- 

 gressive formation of the ice in high latitudes, and 

 the derivation of the supply which is annually fur- 

 nished, for replacing the great quantity that is 

 dissolved and dissipated by the power of the waves, 

 and the warmth of the climate into which it drifts. 

 It has frequently been urged, that the vicinity of 

 land is indispensable for its formation. A^^h ether 

 this may be the case or not, the following observa- 

 tions may possibly determine. 



