Dr. B. F. Harrison on Solution of Ice on Inland Waters. 49 
so surrounded by oceans, especially on the cold or polar side, as 
to render their position in effect insular, and the influence of in- 
sular position upon climate, particularly when the surrounding 
waters are broad oceans, is too well known to be insisted on. 
The actual difference between a northern and a southern sum- - 
mer, under similar circumstances of situation, would probably 
be equally striking; for although the more rapid supply of heat 
at the south is, as we have seen, in some measure counteracted 
by its shorter continuance, yet ;!;th of the sun’s heat is a much 
—— quantity in summer than in winter, and being moreover 
added when the heat is at its maximum instead of minimum, its 
direct effect would necessaril y be much more marked. It is pos- 
sible that, owing to the greater stillness of the atmosphere in 
Art. VI.—On the Solution of Ice formed on Inland Waters; by 
B. F. Harrison, M.D., U.S. A., of Wallingford, Conn. 
From the first settlement of this country, the people residing 
hear some of our inland waters have observed that the 
Sof ice, which covered these waters during the winter, have 
broken up at the approach of spring and disappeared so sud- 
denly, as to excite the astonishment of all who beheld it. At the 
mMmenced a series of observations on the waters and ice of a 
lake about one mile long by half a mile broad and twenty- 
® The followin paragraph was extensively circulated in the public papers & few 
- Some expressed doubts respecting the accuracy of the figures, but no 
observed, was 0 . As Adelaide is situa’ r the 
re (lat, 35° S.), the wind spoken of was doubtless from the interior, and that 
the hi Pe eg connection with what has been here set forth, would fully explain 
eat described. . 
trac alian Heat.—The Sumpter (S. C.) Watebman publishes the following ex- 
‘e ‘from a private letter, dated Adelaide, Feb. 18, 1858:—"I can assure you we 
ct Nearly been roasted alive: we have had ten days and nights of the hottest 
ara T remembered for several years past. at noon in the shade un 
94° to 1469, according to situation, and during the night, it was never less thai 
ahha in-doors. The hot wind never — bl : f the innumerable 
a coup de soleil have been. appalling in the extreme. 
See General Totten's article in ag po [2], xxviii, 359. 
Aw. Jour, Sc1.—Srconp Serres, Vou. XXXV, No. 103.—Jdan,, 1863. 
7 
