64 
which Dutch navigators have given the 
name of Icebergs, and which are of all dif¬ 
ferent magnitudes, are originally formed 
on land. The sun, even in those high la¬ 
titudes, has a considerable power in melt¬ 
ing the snow on the mountains, which, 
running down into the valleys, and again 
congealing, segments frequently break 
off from the entire mass, and fall into the 
sea. The ice of which these floating 
masses are composed, is of various co¬ 
lours. The original fresh water ice is 
sometimes incrusted with that formed 
from the sea-water, and this again is co¬ 
vered with new ice formed of fallen snow. 
The different positions of the spectator 
relatively to the incidental rays of light, 
varies likewise the seeming hue of the 
whole. In some parts it emulates the 
vividness of the emerald, and in others, 
the most beautiful sapphire. When the 
Iceberg is totally composed of melted 
snow, which is sometimes but partly the 
4 
