GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. 



293 



Abstract of the remarks on the formation of the 

 Polar Ice. 



From what has been advanced in the preceding 

 pages, on the mode and place of formation of the 

 ice, occurring in the seas intermediate between 

 East Greenland or Spitzbergen, and West or Old 

 Greenland, the following conclusions seem natu- 

 rally to result, and which will partly apply to the 

 formation of the ice in other places of the polar 

 circle : 



I. Drft ice, — That the light packed or drift 

 ice is the annual product of the bays of Spitz- 

 bergen, and of the interstices in the body of older 

 ice ; and, that it is wholly derived from the water 

 of the ocean. 



That the heavy packed or drift ice generally 

 arises from the disruption of fields. 



II. Iceberg s.—Thdit some ice mountains or ice- 

 bergs are derived from the icebergs generated on 

 the land between the mountains of the sea coastj 

 and are consequently, the product of snow or rain 

 water. 



That a more considerable portion may proba- 

 bly be formed in the deep sheltered bays abound- 

 ing on the east coast of Spitzbergen. These have 

 their bed in the waters of the oc^n, and are part- 



VOL, II. u 



