[ 374 ] 
fform, or .in thick- weather, nothing can be more 
terrible. 
Thofe prodigious .pieces of ice come from the 
north, and are fuppofed to be formed by the freezing 
of C2taradts upon the lands about east Greenland 
and the Pole. As foon as the feverity of the winter 
begins to abate, their immenfe weight breaks them 
from the fhore, and they are driven to the fouth- 
ward. To the miferable inhabitants of labradore, 
their appearance upon the coaft ferve as a token of 
the approach of hummer. 
Of the climate, soil, and natural produc- 
tions of the country. 
This vafl traft of land is extremely barren, and 
altogether incapable of cultivation. The furface is 
everywhere uneven, and covered with large Hones, 
fome of which are of amazing diinenfions. There 
are few fprings ; yet, throughout the country, there 
are prodigious chains of lakes, or ponds, which are 
produced by the rains, and the melting of the fnow. 
Thefe ponds abound in trout, but they are very fmall. 
There is no fuch thing as level land. It is a country 
formed of frightful mountains, and unfruitful vallies. 
The mountains are almoH devoid of every fort of 
herbage. A blighted fhrub, and a little mofs, is 
fometimes to be feen upon them j but, in general, 
the bare rock is all you behold. The vallies are full 
* of crooked low trees, fuch as the different pines, 
fpruce, birch, and a {peeks of the cedar. Up 
fome of the deep bays, and not far from the water, 
it is faid, however, there are a few flicks of no in- 
confiderable 
