so 
Captain Burney on the geography of the 
on the subject, were strongly of opinion that we were in- 
closed by land to the north, and that Asia and America were 
there joined ; but we dared not venture to call in question 
the authority of Muller. 
If it is asked, whence then can come the great quantity of 
ice which is found in this sea ? an answer readily presents 
itself. It is known that the Icy sea is frozen over every 
winter ; and the northern part of this sea also has been 
known to be frozen over early in the winter. When the 
return of summer breaks up the ice, it will of course fill the 
sea with broken pieces. 
Since the voyage of Captain Cook, little has been done 
towards ascertaining the termination of Asia. Commodore 
Billings, an Englishman in the service of Russia, was em- 
ployed to command an expedition for this express purpose, 
furnished with every assistance that could be devised towards 
ensuring success. His instructions directed him to make his 
departure from the river Kolyma, and to endeavour to follow 
the coast thence eastward by sea ; with this additional instruc- 
tion, ‘ that if coasting by sea should be found impracticable, 
‘ and the information obtained on the spot should give hopes 
‘ of effecting the purpose by land, he was then to endeavour 
‘ to trace the coast by going in the winter in sledges over 
‘ the ice/ Kossaks who had before been in the Tschuktzki 
country were selected to accompany Commodore Billings, 
and among them was one who was the son of a Tschuktzki 
woman. ‘ Make agreement with them,' said the Instructions, 
‘ or without agreement pay them the double of what is 
‘ allowed to people who serve at sea. And whereas on a 
‘ chart transmitted to us in the year 1764, a coast is marked 
