deviating from the ecliptick," an idea as ingenious as 

 the circumstance would be novel ; but which, howev- 

 er strange and absurd it may appear, carries with it as 

 much probability as that of the sun's being made to 

 stand still, (in scripture language) in the days of 

 Joshua. 



Be this as it may, it is not my intention to advocate 

 the theory of St. Pierre in the present instance ; neith- 

 er shall I pretend that the circumstance alluded to, is, 

 by any means established, since no positive testimony 

 can possibily be adduced to substantiate the fact 

 nevertheless, I shall assume the position, and that 

 with no other view than to enable us to trace up and 

 comprehend, some of the probable consequences na- 

 turally resulting from an event so momentous in its 

 kind, and so stupendous in its operations ; and to see 

 how far they tally with various geological appearances 

 that are presented to view in different parts of the 

 United States. 



That two immense regions of ice have accumulated, 

 and remain at the poles, is certain. That the one at 

 the north pole extends south about twenty degrees ; 

 and that of the south pole about twenty-three or twen- 

 ty-five degrees north. That they extend to the north 

 and south into regions unknown is highly probable. 

 That if we admit the possibility of the earth's chang- 

 ing its position, (of which mention is made in several 

 instances) so that the sun should pass over the poles, 

 the consequences must have been such as to mock all 

 human efforts of conception. But from what we see 



