23 
north-eastern part of Asia , &c . 
the probability of Asia and America being joined, is, that 
northern land in the Icy sea has repeatedly been supposed, 
and reported, to be an extension of the American continent ; 
and it does not appear in any of the accounts to have been 
reported, or supposed, to join the Tschuktzki country. In 
Captain Krusenstern’s memoir on the lands in the Icy sea, 
it is related, that very lately was explored an extent of 250 
versts of coast of a northern land, which has been named the 
New Siberia. At the easternmost part which was seen of this 
land, the coast was observed to take a direction to the north- 
west. This direction of the coast might keep at a distance 
the supposition that it joined the Tschuktzki land : never- 
theless, the coast may* and is supposed by the Russian dis- 
coverer, M. Hederstroom, to turn afterwards to the east ; 
for he gives it as his opinion that the New Siberia is a pro-* 
longation of America. 
The Tschuktzki people would not explore farther north 
than afforded a prospect of reward for their pains. This, it 
is seen, has led them to some of the islands in the Icy sea ; 
but no marks are noticed of their having been to the New 
Siberia. 
The times for making expeditions of discovery in the Icy 
sea has generally been predetermined ; but it would be more 
conducive to success to watch for favourable seasons. The 
state of the surface of the sea, when frozen, has also been 
found subject to much variation, depending upon the strength 
of the wind when the sea begins to be frozen. If in a calm, 
the surface will be smooth ; if in boisterous weather, it will 
be rugged and bad for travelling. 
