The opinion that the continents of Asia and America are separated by the sea, seems first to have been inferred in 1736 by Professor Müller, and to have been founded upon some papers found at that time in Siberia, relating to the celebrated voyage of Deschneer, who in 1648 first discovered the sea east of Kamtschatka. The question, however, seems to have been undecided at the period of Behring's voyage, as we learn from his instructions given by Peter the Great; and the Asiatic side only of Behring's Strait was discovered by that navigator: for the coast of Asia being there found to take a western direction, it had the effect of giving an impression of the total separation of Asia and America. After noticing several other attempts to determine the north-eastern limits of Asia previous to the arrival of Captain Cook in the sea of Kamtschatka, Captain Burney proceeds to the observations of that navigator.
The first extraordinary circumstance was a sudden disappearance of the tides in Behring's Strait. Thence Captain Cook coasted the land of America to the north and north-east till stopped, in 70° 40' north latitude, by a floating body of ice. He then stood westward from the coast of Asia, keeping in as high a latitude as the ice would permit. The deepest soundings in this sea did not exceed 30 fathoms in latitude 68° 45', mid-way between the coasts of Asia and America. The soundings decreased to the northward, and did not increase in running from the coast of America westward, as is usual in running from land. These, and other peculiarities, gave so much the character of a mediterranean sea, that some on board, says the author, were of opinion that we were inclosed by land to the north, and that Asia and America were there united.
Captain Burney next notices the expedition of Commodore Billings; in which, however, no new facts respecting the main question were discovered.
In this uncertainty respecting the north-east termination of Asia, the author gives one observation of importance, which is, that the Tschuktzki people do not appear to know the extent of their country north, nor to give any satisfactory information respecting it, though some of them have travelled from the continent to islands in the Icy Sea. The most probable chance of arriving at any certainty upon the subject of the north-eastern boundary of Asia, is that, says the author, which was recommended by the Russian Admiralty to Commodore Billings, i. e. to trace the coast in sledges where the sea is frozen.
The principal argument against the probability of Asia and America being joined, is, that the northern land in the Icy Sea has repeatedly been supposed and reported to be an extension of the American continent, and not to join the Tschuktzki country.
