336 On the VracticahUity 



Greenland and Spitzbergen forming so powerful a bar td t\\e 

 progress of tlie ice with the circiniivoiving current to the east- 

 ward, renders it extremely probable that there is always less ice 

 between Nova Zembla and Spitzbergen, than any where else in 

 the same parallel, and perhaps still less the nearer the Pole in 

 summer. 



Whether the ice during the winter encompasses the Pole or 

 not, can only be matter of conjecture ; and, in all probability, 

 tlie fact will never be decided by man. 



In that season, if the cold is intense in proportion to the near- 

 ness of the Pole, it is possible the ice may advance to it. But 

 yet, as it is more probably drifted out of the Polar basin, as fast 

 perhaps as it collects to the northward of Greenland, it seems 

 more reasonable to presume, that it seldom reaches much be- 

 yond the latitudes of 82° or 83°, in any consolidated or very ex- 

 tensive bodies all the year round. On this ground for one, rests 

 the opinion I hold, in common with the writer of the article in 

 question, of the probability of the vicinity of the Pole being free 

 of ice in the summer; not, however, as a consequence of there 

 being no land there, but whether there shall be any land or not. 

 For I have supposed it likely, that the temperature of the atmo- 

 sphere in the Arctic regions in summer, may sometimes exceed 

 32^; and the more, perhaps, the nearer the Pole is approached. 



First, because there may be less ice, for the reasons I have 

 given. And if there is ice, there will probably be a warmer at- 

 mospheric temperature to dissolve it at the Pole itself, than any 

 where else to the southward of it, as far as 75° or 80^. Because, 

 when the sun's rays first strike the Pole, they will be felt there 

 incessantly for six months ; but with what force and effect we 

 have yet to learn. On all other parallels, in proportion to their 

 distance from the Pole, the duration of the sun's influence will be 

 shorter. And though the sun's power during the periods they 

 feel it may perhaps be greater than at the Pole ; yet, being in- 

 terrupted while he is below the horizon, it is perhaps probable, 

 on the whole, that the greatest effect of the sun's heat may be 

 at the Pole, as there he is above the horizon for six months ; in 

 the latitude of 84°, about five months j and in 781°, about four 

 months only, at a time. 



We are next to inquire, what " facility the late disappearance 

 of the ice from the east coast of Greenland offers; 1st, for at- 

 tempting a direct passage over the Pole ; and 2d, the more cir- 

 cuitous one along the northern coast of America into the Pacific." 



As to the 1st, according to the view I have taken of the sub- 

 ject, it appears to me, that the facility this event offers for at- 

 tempting a direct passage over the Pole, would be very nearly 

 the tame, whether more or less ice is collected, not only on the 



eastern 



