180 On the formation of Ice. 
The filling of the ice-houses (which, within a few years, 
become considerably numerous in this town,) has af- 
forded good opportunities of observing some small circum- 
stances, the mention.of which may not be superfluous, al- 
. 
the almost non-conducting power of ice in relation to. heat. 
This is one provision, among others, made by the creator, 
to prevent very deep congelation, which would be attended 
with deplorable consequences, Had the accumulation of 
ice, in the present instance, gone on uniformly, in the high- 
est ratio, the ice would, during these twenty-one nights have 
beep forty-two inches, or three feet six inches thick, and 
ana oc! ~ Vga Diet : ee er, 
it would have become 112 inches, or nine feet four inches 
although 1 1 recent cold has been much the n st severe, the lower layers of 
ice are only from'4to }ths of an inch thiteles en et Sow the 
