GREENLAND OR POLAR ICE. Slfij 



Thus, when a severe storm blows from the sea, 

 directly towards the main body of ice, an oppo- 

 site current will sometimes prevail on the borders 

 of the ice ; and such conflicting winds have been 

 observed to counterpoise each other, a few furlongs 

 distant from the ice, for several hours : the vio- 

 lence of the one, being, as it were, subdued by the 

 frigorific repulsion and lesser force of the other. 

 The effect resulting, is singular and manifest. 



The moist and temperate gale from the 

 southward, becomes chilled on commixture with 

 the northern breeze, and discharges its surplus 

 humidity in the thickest snow *. As the quan- 

 tity of the snow, depends considerably on the 

 difference of temperature of the two assimilating 

 streams of air, it follows, that the largest pro- 

 portion must be precipitated on the exterior of the 

 main body of ice, where the contrast of temperature 

 is the greatest : and since that contrast must be 

 gradually diminished, as the air passes over the 

 gelid surface of the ice, much of its superabundant 

 moisture must generally be discharged before it 

 reaches the interior. Hence, we can account for 



* It is almost needless to say, that ttie foundation of this^ 

 and some of the following remarks, is derived from Dr Hut- 

 ton's ingenious Theory of Rain, an able and beautiful illustra- 

 tion of which we have in Professor Leslie's Essay " On.-the 

 "Relations of Air to Heat and Moisture," p. 122. 



