[ 43 3 
over which the current rolls with vaft rapidity, be- 
ing confined in a narrow paflage j lor this Norwegian 
told me, that at very low water, fharp pointed rocks,, 
reaching then above the furface, have been Teen be- 
tween the illands above-mentioned. No wonder 
then, that fuch vefiels may have been turned upfide 
down, as may have been drawn by the tide, in its 
moft rapid ftate, into this gulph. The fimple agi- 
tation of the water would l'ufficiently account indeed 
for the lofs of open boats. Imperfedt as it is, in 
my humble opinion, this account, if true, which I 
believe it to be, unravels in fome meafure, the 
myftery of the Norwegian whirlpool 3 which I how- 
ever regret, not having myfelf, confiftently with my 
orders, had it in my power minutely to examine. 
The foregoing is, with great deference and refpedf,. 
prefented, by the Royal Society’s 
Moft humble 
and moft obedient fervant, 
Cha. Douglas. 
O 
N. B. The thermometrical experiments in queftiom 
were made at the fuggeftion of Mr. Wilfon,, 
Profefi'or of Aftronomy at Glafgow, with a ther- 
mometer of his making. 
G 2 
O B S E R- 
