174 Naturul Ice Houses. 
forest trees, (except the is a appeared scorched up 
fully as much as I have seen trees that have been struck 
with lightning in New:England: During the storm I hap- 
pened to be on an island, and observed the wind took up the 
salt water that was extended. by the breaking of the waves, 
and seemed rather to elevate the particles of salt water, then 
force them in a horizontal direction, and carried them over 
the land. This I conceived to be the reason of the blast ; 
(for as such it appears,) especially as those trees that stood 
nearest to the salt water, seemed first to decay. 1¢ isl- 
T call ma maple, beaek, and birdhs are generally snevopedte 
on the edges with alders—and those alders that stood on the 
windward side of the islands, shewed the first symptoms of 
decay. I should be glad to have your opinion whether it is 
probable my conjectures are right? that the salt water be- 
ing in such quantities, (for the force of the gale lasted twelve 
ours) gediupon: e branches of the trees, was the occa- 
i (ontnae a it is more likely that the air 
imp! 2 h glu particles as is com- 
ly th where fick Ids of wheat and other. _ are 
aoree be mildewed or blasted by unwholesome en 
in the milk ? and whether it is not probable, had there been 
fields of English grain standing where the trees are blight- 
ed, they would have undergone the same fate; espe- 
cially as the potatoe tops, Indian beans, and other tender 
are unhurt. The islands of this country and the 
the sea shore, are rather low than high Jand, and consequent- 
ly will, Ifear, be subject to further inconvenience of this kind, 
that may prove a discouragement to our ee them 
any other use than the speochatstion of grass. 
Arr. XXD—Neturad Ice Houses. ~-Ep1ror. 
Tuar ice is sabsseaal’ in some climates is notorious. That 
it is so even in these of the torrid zone, upon mountains 
tise to the height of three miles, is also well known. 
It is however a rare occurrence, even in cold climates, that 
ice is. -pereanial on ground which partons than 
the common elevation. 
* By evergreen, | mean the spruce, ar, and pines. 
