[ I0 7 ] 
is about double of what I have ever feen before, at 
one time. 
The manner in which thefe iflands are formed has 
been matter of much difpute ; and various, indeed, 
have been the conjedtUres of feemingly very learned 
authors concerning them. But I cannot, however, 
help thinking, that the caufe and manner of their 
formation might very eafily be made out from a few 
principles; and thefe fadts, obvious to everyone who 
vifits thefe Straits. But as this would lead me to con- 
trovert the opinions of feveral Gentlemen, who in all 
probability, are much more converfant in thefe 
things than I can pretend to be, I fliall only here put , 
down thofe circumftances ; and leave it to every 
perfon to form his own judgment of the matter. 
i ft. The northern fhore of thefe Straits, as it is 
ufually called, is one continued chain of fmall iflands; 
which form almoft an infinite number of little bays, 
and inlets. 2d. The rocks which form the fhores, 
are very high; and in moft places almoft perpen- 
dicular. 3d. The water is very deep clofe to the fhore, 
in moft places 60 or 70, and in feveral 1 20 fathoms, 
and upwards. 4th. The tides rife here fometimes 
upwards of 6 fathoms, and fet through thefe Straits 
with great velocity, and almoft in all directions. 
5th. There fall, during the winter feafon, vaft quan- 
tities of fnow, and at this time the frofts are alfo 
very intenfe. 6th. The wind blows from the 
northern quarter, at leaft, three quarters of the 
year. 7th. During the months of June and July, 
the vaft quantities of fnow, which lie expofed to the 
fun, melt very faft, and the water running into thofe 
bays and inlets, muft caufe a ftrong current to fet off 
P 2 from 
