THE EARTH. 



183 



ceivable, except in the gulf of Venice, and ship^vrecks are less 

 known there than in any other part of the world. 



It is in the ocean, therefore, that these whirlpools are parti 

 cularly dangerous, where the tides are violent, and the tempestf 

 tieree. To mention only one, that called the Maelstroom, upon 

 the coasts of Norway, which is considered as the most dreadfid 

 and voracious in the world. The name it has received from tl e 

 natives, signifies tlie navel of the sea ; since they suppose that ;i 

 great share of the water of the sea is sucked up and dischargea 

 by its vortex. A minute description of the internal parts is not 

 to be expected, since none who were there ever returned to brir^' 

 back mformation. The body of the waters that form this whirl- 

 pool, are extended in a circle above thirteen miles in circumfer- 

 ence. ' In the midst of this stands a rock, against which the 

 tide in its ebb is dashed with inconceivable furj'. At this time 

 it instantly swallows up all things that come within the sphere 

 of its violence, trees, timber, and shipping. No skill in the 

 mariner, nor strength of rowing, can work an escape : the sailor 

 at the helm finds the ship at first go in a current opposite to his 

 intentions ; his vessel's motion, though slow in the beginning, 

 becomes every moment more rapid ; it goes round in circles still 

 narrower, and narrower, till at last it is dashed against the rocks, 

 and instantly disappears : nor is it seen again for six hours ; till 

 the tide flowing, it is vomited forth with the same violence with 

 which it was drawn in. Tiie noise of this dreadful vortex still 

 farther contributes to increase its terror, which, wth the dashing 

 of the waters, and the dreadful valley, if it may be so c:Jled, 

 caused by their circulation, makes one of the most tremendous 

 objects in nature.* 



1 Kircher, Mund. .Subt. vn!. i. p. 135. 



* Sea animals ofuning within the attraotion of this dreadful whirlpool arc 

 nnable to avoid its fury, and various instances are recorded of their strug- 

 gliiig, roaring, and bellowing in a frifrhtful manner, when approachinpr its 

 vortex ; showin'f that they were sensible of their danger. The like happen 

 frequently to bears, which attempt to swim to the island to prey upou the 

 fcheep. There is no doubt of this whirlpool being formed by the accidenta. 

 situation of tlie island of M.iskoe, and the adjacent islands, with the nature 

 and structure of their shores ; the vast body of the Northern ocean forcinfj 

 itself throngh these rocky narrow passages, products this dreadl til vortex, 



Ofifthe coast of Argyleshire there is a vortex of considerable extent, called 

 the Corbrechtan ; the noise of it can bo he.ird at many milcB, and appears 

 like the distant sound of a number of chariotE. 



