350 OF TIDES, 



frequently but a few hours above the horizon of such harbours. 

 All islands are in the midst of currents : on looking therefore at the 

 south pole with a bird's eye view, we should see a succession of 

 archipelagos dispersed in a spiral line all the way to the northern 

 hemisphere, which indicates the current of the sea, just as the pro- 

 jection of the two continents on the side of the north pole indi- 

 cates the current of the Atlantic. Thus, the course of the seas 

 from one pole to the other is in a spiral line round the globe, like 

 the course of the sun from one tropic to the other : admitting 

 therefore the alternate fusion of the polar ices, all the phenomena 

 of the tides and currents of the ocean may be explained with the 

 greatest facility. 



I have then established by facts simple, clear, and numerous, the 

 disagreement of the tides in most seas with the moon's action on the 

 equator, and their perfect coincidence with the sun's action on the 

 polar ices. 



I have no doubt various objections may be urged against this 

 hasty explanation of the course of the tides, &c. But these phy- 

 sical causes present themselves with a higher degree of probability, 

 simplicity, and conformity to the general progress of nature, than 

 the astronomical causes by which it is attempted to explain them. 



Thus far St. Pierre, who complains that the prejudices of man- 

 kind are so strong in favour of received opinions, that he cannot 

 obtain a hearing. 



To the best of my judgment T have offered a fair and candid 

 exposition of a hypothesis which he has dressed up with some elo 

 quence and much declamation, and ushered into the world with a 

 solemn and imposing air of confidence and assurance, tolerably well 

 calculated to confound the ignorance and candour of his readers. 

 I am not conscious of having omitted any material fact or argument 

 which tends to the support and elucidation of his theory ; I have 

 neglected much absurd reasoning, yet not without retaining some 

 curious specimens, I did once intend to have entered into a general 

 examination of his principles and reasoning ; to have shown the fal. 

 lacy of the former, ihe inconclusiveness and inconsistency of the 

 latter; but I shall now be satisfied with offering a few facts and 

 observations extracted from the second and third voyage of Cap- 

 tain Cook, which appear to me decisive of the question. 



