If this be so, and I see no reason to disbelieve it, then the ice of the outer seas must be kept away altogether from that strange inner sea of which More speaks.

Ross saw the volcanoes Erebus and Terror; More saw two others.

How many more there may be it is impossible to say; but all this shows that the effect of the earth's internal fires is very manifest in that region, and More has penetrated to a secluded world, which lies apart by itself, free from the influence of ice-masses, left to feel the effect of the internal fires, and possessing what is virtually a tropical climate." "Well," said Melick, "there is no theory however wild and fantastic, which some man of science will not be ready to support and to fortify by endless arguments, all of the most plausible kind.

For my own part, I still believe More and his south polar world to be no more authentic than Sindbad the Sailor." But the others evidently sympathized with the doctor's view, and regarded Melick as carrying his scepticism to an absurd excess.
"How large do you suppose this south polar ocean to be ?" asked Featherstone.
"It is impossible to answer that question exactly," said the doctor.
"It may be, as More hints, a thousand miles in extent, or only five hundred, or two hundred.

For my own part, however, I feel like taking More's statements at their utmost value; and the idea that I have gathered from his narrative is that of a vast sea like the Mediterranean, surrounded by impassable mountains, by great and fertile countries, peopled with an immense variety of animals, with a fauna and flora quite unlike those of the rest of the world; and, above all, with great nations possessing a rare and unique civilization, and belonging to a race altogether different from any of the known races of men." "Well," said Melick, "that at least is the idea which the writer of the manuscript tries to convey." By this time they had finished dinner.
"And now," said Featherstone, "let's have some more of the manuscript.
Melick is tired of it, I dare say.