SPITZBERGEN. 113 



in fogs, the tops of the mountains frequently appear 

 above the region occupied by the densest stratum 

 of mist, and warn the navigator of his advance into 

 danger. 



The same deception in the distance of terrestrial 

 objects, and, consequently, in their real magnitude, 

 prevails when a person is on shore, as when he views 

 them from a station at sea. Whenever a little 

 table land is found between the beach and the foot 

 of the mountains, the distance across it will seldom 

 appear above a furlong or two, though it actually 

 should be nearly a league. Martens alluding to this 

 deception, says, " The miles in Spitzbergen seem to 

 be very short ; but when you attempt to walk them 

 upon the land, you will soon be weary, and unde- 

 ceived." 



Spitzbergen abounds with deep bays and exten- 

 sive sounds, in many of which are excellent har- 

 bours. Instead of describing the situation and ex- 

 tent of each of these bays and sounds, which may be 

 known by inspection of the accompanying map*, 

 or by reference to the table of latitudes and longi- 

 tudes in the Appendix, No. IV., I shall only no- 



VOL. I. H 



* In the map of Spitzbergen, an extent of coast of above 

 200 miles, included between Point-look-out and Hackluyt's 

 Headland, is laid down from an original survey. In several 

 particular situations I found an error of 10 miles of latitude 

 and 2 or 3 degrees of longitude, in our most approved Gharts. 



