Dr Latta on Ice^Bergs* 
let, when the temperature descended below the freezing point, 
would soon be frozen to the bottom, whilst the sources ol‘ water, 
unaltered in temperature, issuing as springs from the sides and 
bases of the mountains, continuing to flow, would augment the 
mass by repeated layers, in proportion and extent to the quan- 
tity of water poured out. From this view I am disposed to 
think, that these ice-bergs are much more extensive than is 
imagined, and that they follow the course of the valley into the 
interior. I do not agree in opinion with Captain Scoresby on the 
increase of bulk of these ice-bergs. Ice-bergs,” says he, are 
as permanent as the rocks on which they rest ; for though large 
portions may be frequently separated from the lower edge^ or 
hy avalanches from the mountain summit be hurled into the 
sea, yet the annual growth replenishes the loss ; and probably, 
on the whole, produces a perpetual increase. But the annual 
supply of ice is not only added to the upper part, but also to 
the 'precipitous crest facing the sea, which addition being run 
into, or suspended over the ocean, admits of new fragments 
being detached, and of the renewal of the vitreous surface which 
it presents to the eye after each sepai'ation. In some places, in- 
deed, where the sea is almost perpetually covered with ice, the 
berg or glacier makes its way to a great extent into the sea, till 
it reaches a depth of several hundreds of feet I think all that 
part of the ice-berg which lies beyond a league or so from the 
shore, has long ago ceased to receive additions of ice, as it is 
now much elevated above the circle of perpetual congelation, 
being buried under a great body of snow. At the seaward extre- 
mity, where, from the influence of the ocean, the snow-line is 
more elevated, the annual augmentation will be but very scan- 
ty, for, being convex, it cannot command the mountain’s rills ; 
and whatever water arises from the melting of the snow on the 
surface, will naturally be carried off by the chinks, so that all 
its supply will depend on the half dissolved snow retaining 
water among its particles afterwards to be frozen, or on the de- 
positation of hoar-froast, which envelopes the whole island in 
spring. In this way, the effects of summer may be counter- 
acted : And if additions are ' made, it is only to the upper sur- 
face ; for so far from the precipice gaining ground on the sea, 
I think it is annually on the decrease. The west coast of Spitz- 
