SUPPLEMENTARY REMARKS, 



On the supposed Alteration of the Temperature of Winter. 



WRITTEN AND READ BEFORE THE ACADEMY IN 1806. 



W REN the preceding Dissertation was written, I 

 had devoted very little time to an examination of the 

 subject, and had read very few of the authorities cited to 

 prove a moderation of cold in winter in modern times. 

 Since that time, I have noted such passages in ancient 

 authors, as have occurred to me, in the course of read- 

 ing, with a view to ascertain, if possible, the real fact, 

 whether the industry and improvements of men, by de- 

 stroying forests and cultivating the earth, have occasion- 

 ed a material alteration of climate. 



Strabo, in the first book of his geography, cites from 

 Homer, whom he calls the father of geography, a pas- 

 sage which describes the climate of the western part of 

 Europe, where the poet places Elysium.... aS^^ Odyssey ^ 

 hook 4. This country, says the poet, experiences " no 

 violent storms of snow, and little winter, but is perpetu- 

 ally refreshed by gentle zephyrs ftom the ocean." This 

 description Strabo applies to Iberia, or Spain, and alleges 

 that the Fortunate Isles received their name from their 

 vicinity to this happy climate. The description proves 

 at least the opinion of the ancients respecting the climate 

 of Spain and Portugal, and it corresponds Avith the pres- 

 ent state of the climate. 



