Had he done so, which the state of his ships would not permit, he might have been the discoverer of Brazil.] PECULIAR THEORY OF THE SHAPE OF THE EARTH.
Now Columbus was one of those men of divining minds, who must have general theories on which to thread their observations; and, as few persons have so just a claim to theorize as those who have added largely to the number of ascertained facts (a privilege which they generally make abundant use of), so Columbus may well be listened to, when propounding his explanation of the wonderful change in sea, air, sky, and magnetic current, which he discerned at this distance of a hundred leagues from the Azores.
His theory was, that the earth was not a perfect sphere, but pear-shaped; and he thought that, as he proceeded westwards in this voyage, the sea went gradually rising, and his ships rising too, until they came nearer to the heavens.

It is very possible that this theory had been long in his mind, or, at any rate, that he held it before he reached the coast of Paria.

When there, new facts struck his mind, and were combined with his theory.

He found the temperature much more moderate than might have been expected so near the equinoctial line, far more moderate than on the opposite coast of Africa.

In the evenings, indeed, it was necessary for him to wear an outer garment of fur.