212 



LETTERS ON NATURAL MAGIC. 



the intermediate valleys, though some miles in width, by a 

 bridge of a single arch, of the most magnificent appearance 

 and extent. Notwithstanding these repeated changes, the 

 various figures represented in the drawing had all the 

 distinctness of reality ; and not only the different strata, 

 but also the veins of the rocks, with the wreaths of snow 

 occupying ravines and fissures, formed sharp ancl distinct 

 lines, and exhibited every appearance of the most 'perfect 

 solidity." 



Fig. 34. 



One of the most remarkable facts respecting aerial 

 images presented itself to Mr. Scoresby in a later voyage 

 which he performed to the coast of Greenland in 1822. 

 Having seen an inverted image of a ship in the air he 

 directed to it his telescope ; he was able to discover it to 

 be his father's ship, which was at the time below the 

 horizon. " It was," says he, "so well defined, that I could 

 distinguish by a telescope every sail, the general rig of 

 the ship, and its particular character ; insomuch, that I 

 confidently pronounced it to be my father's ship, the 

 Fame, which it afterwards proved to be ; though, on 

 comparing notes with my father, I found that our relative 

 position, at the time, gave a distance from one another 

 of very nearly thirty miles, being about seventeen miles 



