KAMTSCHATKA. ^65 



Good Hope, may probably unite botli, anil cUvitlc 

 Cape Prince of ^V^ales from the continent, and 

 make it into an island ; for this inlet seems too 

 near to Schischmareflf Bay, to suppose that its 

 course, as described by the natives, can lead into 

 the latter. 



To the north of Beering's Strait, lies before us 

 the still unexplored field of the last important pro- 

 blems in geography ; and we are called upon to 

 give our opinion on them at a time when several 

 expeditions are fitting out to examine into the facts, 

 and our voice expires unheard. We proceed with 

 hesitation to this task. 



Are Asia and America separated ? and is the sea 

 into which you penetrate through Beering's Strait 

 to the north, the great Icy Sea itself? or, is this 

 basin a Bay of the Southern Ocean, bounded and 

 surrounded by the coasts of the two uniting 

 quarters of the globe in the north ? 



Can a north-west passage be possible, from the 

 waters of Hudson's and Baffin's Bay, along the 

 north coast of America to Beering's Strait ? 



Can it be possible to come into Beering's Strait 

 from the Atlantic Ocean, northwards of Spitzber- 

 gen, and even over the north pole itself? and is 

 there an open navigable polar sea, or a polar gla- 

 cier of firm solid ice ? 



A man, whose name inspires us with the greatest 

 respect, who is equally distinguished by learning 

 and sound criticism, who was himself a companion 



