84 R. W. Haskins on the Open North Polar Sea. 
Arr. XII.—The Open North Polar Sea; by R. W. Hasxuss, A.M. 
THE physical condition of our globe, though intimately con- 
nected with the daily walk and welfare of man, is a subject 
which never has occupied more than a very slight share of the 
popular attention. There are features, however, of this condi- 
tion, which occasionally force themselves’ upon the attention of 
all men; though seldom for more than a brief period, and then 
only as an element of alarm or of idle curiosity, rather than as 
one of investigation, and as forming the basis of knowledge. 
Such are earthquakes, sudden eruptions of voleanoes, and the like. 
The more fixed and stable forms of surrounding nature, as they 
lack the stimulant of unusual and violent change, can excite, m 
the public mind, none other than the most feeble attention, and 
that only under circumstances of specific incentives. Among — 
the direct consequences of this state of things is a constant pro- 
pensity to generalize, and to base ultimate conclusions upon 
appearances only, and with none other than a superficial obser- 
vation of these. It is to such a propensity, and to the apathy it 
so naturally produces, that we may, perhaps, most safely ascribe 
esent condition of the popular mind, in regard to the im- 
mediate object of this notice. 
That to recede from the equator towards the poles, upon the 
surface of the earth, is to encounter increased cold, is a general 
fact, well known to all; and it was easy for even the mos’ 
drowsy quietude to znfer, from this, that the law thus known is 
a constant one admitting of no exception, and that, consequently, 
the geographical pole must be the coldest point of our globe 
How far the votaries of science may have concurred in this sentl 
