the earth, bears no larger a proportion to the magnitude of the earth,
than a grain of sand does to that of one of our largest globes, and
can have no more effect on its motion: Besides, as is noticed by Mr
Wales, every body will be _in equilibrio_, however irregular, when it
is suspended or revolves on a line passing through its centre of
gravity, and will not have either its rest or motion disturbed by any
irregularities lying in the direction of that line, which may be
safely supposed the case with our earth. The simple addition of any
fluid matter to a body so circumstanced, will not cause any
aberration, as it will distribute itself in the parts nearest to the
centre of gravity, without regard to the centre of the body, which may
or may not be the same. The principal tracts of both land and sea may
be held to extend from the North towards the South Pole, and are
accordingly in the direction of the earth's axis. Obviously,
therefore, there is no necessity for a southern continent to answer as
a counterpoise; and it is even conceivable that the matter in the
regions of the South Pole, is specifically lighter than that of any
other part, in perfect consistency with what is known of the earth's
motion. The reasons of a different kind from what have now been
mentioned, for the existence of southern lands, fall to be elsewhere
considered.--E.

[2] An account of the voyage performed by Magalhaens, is given in vol.
x. of this collection. The discoveries made by that enterprising man
in the South Pacific Ocean, were far from being very important; but
the expedition in which he unfortunately lost his life, will ever be
memorable in the pages of history, as the first circumnavigation of the
world.--E.

[3] Mr Dalrymple has collected together the few existing notices of
Spanish voyages of discovery, betwixt the times of those performed by
Magalhaens and Mendana. Though by no means considerable in bulk, they
are too numerous to be detailed in this place. It is very probable,
that the Spanish government continued from mere habit to reserve the
more perfect memorials, after all the views of policy which first
occasioned their being withheld from the public, had been abandoned.
The affairs of that ill-fated kingdom have been long very unfavourable
to the investigations, which certainly unimpo