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1214 THE HISTORYwarm, and that no sno^v can lie on them hi winter;while such as are near the shore becomescarce habitable for cold, by reason of the snowand ice remaining on the continent, which fromthencee transmit bleak winds into those ilands.The antients, who judg d of places where theynever were by their bare positions, did consequentlyenough from thence conclude the torridzone to be inhabitable: but since this zone hasnot onely been frequently visited, but is daily penetratedto the temperate and cold zones beyondit, 'tis not onely found every where inhabited ;butthose breezes and showers, with other causes, thatmake living there very comfortable, are the commonthemes of philosophers. This brings me to thelast,and seemingly the strongest objection, viz.that the Hyperborean iland of Diodorus, or ratherof Hecateus and others long before him, was soplentiful as to have tvi^o crops a year*. Yet thisexpression, upon a fair construction, will be sofar from embarassing, that it will highly illustratemy explication. It onely signifies great plenty:).nd abundance, which Icou'd instance by manypassages of the antients; but shall chuse thenearest home I can, and that isof Italy:what Virgil t says* Read the Note immediately preceding, bateing one.+ Hie ver assiduum, atque alienis mensibus aestas;Bis grayidts pecudes, bis pomis utilis arbos.Georgic, lib, 2,