a name given to all that part of the Atlantic Ocean which lies north of Terra Firma, in South America.

NORTH-WEST PASSAGE. A north-west passage by Hudson's Bay, into the pacific ocean, has been more than once attempted of late years, but hitherto without success. Some greatly doubt of the practicableness of such an enterprise, and think the observations made by the Russians give us small hopes. Some general things may be seen in the Phil. Trans. No. 482. sect. 14. It appears from thence, that the Russians have passed between the land of Nova Zembla, and the coast of Asia; and, as the Dutch did formerly discover the northern coasts of Nova Zembla, we may now be well assured that that country is really an island.