"Observations on the late Expedition of C apt. Parry. £47 
allow the existence of continued sea, which is surely at least 
more probable than the opposite supposition, the non-existence 
of this continued current from the west, would be a favourable 
circumstance to the navigator sailing westward. 
The most important element which Scrutator has introduced 
into the calculation, appears to be the great preponderance of 
northerly winds in these latitudes, and the consequent descent 
of the polar ice upon all coasts having a northern exposure. 
This is likely to seal up all straits, sounds, and channels, open- 
ing in that direction. It may probably be admitted also, with 
our author, that the progress made by Captains Parry and 
Franklin may be in a great measure ascribed to their having, on 
the north, chains of islands protecting them from the arrival of 
these masses of polar ice. But there is nothing impossible, or 
^even improbable, m the supposition, that similar chains may 
stretch much farther, and even to the vicinity of Behring’s 
Straits ; and, if Captain Parry could work his way from one to 
the other, a chance cf success would arise not hitherto adverted 
to. If deserted by these insular barriers, the unfavourable 
omens already formed, respecting a progress along the coast of 
America, would, no doubt, be strengthened by this new view of 
the subject. Yet if the navigator could then push out into the 
open sea, although he might encounter floating ice-islands, we 
have no idea that, in a latitude little above 70°, he could find an 
ocean covered over with impenetrable ice. 
Upon the whole, then, though the chances may be heavy 
against Captain Parry’s present success, there seems no ground 
for considering, with Scrutator, the undertaking as desperate. 
Additional Information regarding the Arctic Expeditions . 
JThe following additional particulars regarding the Arctic Expeditions, will serve 
to complete the view given by Mr Murray in his interesting memoir. — Edit.] 
Captain Parry is to attempt to get through Prince Regent’s 
Inlet, and to push for the coast of the American continent, 
which he hopes to reach somewhere about the Coppermine Ri- 
ver. When he explored this inlet before, he was obstructed on- 
ly by floe-ice, through which, in a favourable season, a passage 
may be found ; and the general impression at that time was, that 
the land on both sides of it consisted of islands,— -an opinion 
