APPENDIX. 155 



62° south latitude, and 172-173° west longitude; 

 and on the 15th, saw field-ice in 66°. On the 

 30th January, 1774, they were stopped by immense 

 ice-fields in latitude 71° 10' 30" and 107° west 

 longitude, which was the most considerable approxi- 

 mation towards the south pole that had ever been 

 effected. 



" Thus, it appears, that there subsists a remark- 

 able difference between the two hemispheres, with 

 regard to the approach of the ice towards the equa- 

 tor ; the ice of the southern being much less per- 

 vious, and extending to much lower latitudes than 

 that of the northern hemisphere, 



" That the 73d or 74th degree of north latitude 

 can be attained at any season of the year, whereas 

 the 71st degree of south latitude has been but once 

 passed. — And, 



" That, whilst the antarctic ne plus ultra ap- 

 pears to be the 72d degree of latitude, that of the 

 arctic extends full 600 miles farther ; the nearest 

 approach to the southern pole being a distance of 

 1130 miles, but to the north, only 510 miles. 



" With regard to the probability of exploring 

 the regions more immediately in the vicinity of the 

 pole than has yet been accomplished, or even of 

 reaching the pole itself, I anticipate, that, without 

 reference to the reasoning on which the opinion is 



2 



