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CHAPTER IX. 



OF THE IMPORTANCE OF DISKO IN THE CASE OF SUCCESS. 



The island of Disko is of great elevation, as I have 

 said, being more than 6000 feet perpendicular above the 

 sea level, on its southern side, which at Fortune Bay hes 

 in the latitude of 69° 10' N. but runs into a low point at 

 its northern extremity, in the Mallegat Sound, which is 

 about the latitude 70° 18' N. measuring in its greatest 

 length more than one nautical degree. The general form 

 of the island is triangular, as may be seen by inspecting 

 the draft in Chart HI. The great body of the land of 

 Disko is formed of basaltic columns of irregular pile, but 

 sufficiently marked to decide their character. The southern, 

 interior and western parts, particularly the latter, are 

 lofty table land, with fine deep harbours, which are safe 

 retreats for shipping when the ice begins to break up 

 and descend to the southward, except when southerly 

 or westerly winds happen to blow ; but against any danger 



2 M 



