1 1 6 ABOUT THE WEATHER. 



in greatest abundance only where its rays fall perpendicu- 

 larly upon the earth, and this, on account of the position 

 of the globular earth in relation to the sun, only happens 

 in a narrow zone on each side of the equator, together only 

 forming a quarter of the length between the north and 

 south poles. From this girdle, its action diminishes so 

 rapidly, that at about 70 degrees of north and south lati- 

 tude, it can only thaw the frozen earth to a depth of a few 

 feet, and at 80 degrees the surface is stark with unmelted 

 ice throughout the height of summer. The equator itself 

 lies beneath the vertical rays of the sun twice a year, at 

 the two equinoxes ; and the same holds good of all the 

 places within the equatorial zone, but in such a manner, 

 that the periods are always approaching together till they 

 fall coincident under the tropics, which are only warmed by 

 the vertical rays of the sun once in the year, namely, the 

 tropic of Cancer at the time of our longest day, and the 

 tropic of Capricorn on our shortest day. 



When the vessel on its voyage to the South approaches 

 the equator in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, anxious 

 fear seizes the whole crew. Sooner or later, according to 

 the time of year, the favouring wind which had brought 

 them thus far, becomes weaker and weaker; at first it 

 ceases for a little while, and at last drops entirely. Around 

 extends the sea, an endless glassy surface. The ship, 

 hitherto speeding onward with a bird-like flight, lies bound 

 on the crystal fluid. The rays of the sun, falling perpen- 

 dicularly, glow through and through the narrow space in 

 which the men are enclosed. The deck burns through 

 the soles of the shoes. A stifling vapour fills the cabins. 

 A fortnight has the ruler of the sea lain immoveable in 

 the same spot. The store of water is exhausted. Glow- 

 ing thirst glues the parched tongue to the palate. Each 



