OlF THE FAROE ISLANDS. 2tl 



ihat Skeelingfeld was considerably higher, and, according to 

 our estimation, not less than 3000 feet above the level of the 

 sea. We had no opportunity of repeating our observation ; 

 but as we took all possible pains to guard against error, we 

 have room to suspect that Captain Born must have fallen into 

 some mistake ; although, from the opportunities of observing, 

 which his long residence in the country must have afforded 

 him, we cannot, without much hesitation, come to such a con- 

 clusion. 



In this excursion we had reason to congratulate ourselves on 

 our good fortune. The atmosphere was clear of clouds, conse- 

 quently almost every island in the group was within sight, 

 which, from the wonderful variety in the form of the hills and 

 islands, affords a very grand and striking prospect. 



The peculiar delight one feels in the enjoyment of a 

 boundless view from an elevated situation, was, on this occa- 

 sion, considerably enhanced by the unobscured horizon, and 

 peculiar brightness of the day ; since our arrival in the coun- 

 try, we had not till now enjoyed a single hour, that would 

 have permitted us to see half the extent. Though bleak 

 and barren, and in many places covered with eternal snow, 

 the novelty of shape, which varied in every hill, — the deep 

 indentations of the sea, — the contrast of the irregular out- 

 line with the even and unvarying direction of the rocky beds, 

 and the placid stillness of the surrounding ocean, all contribu- 

 ted to repay us most amply for the trouble of our ascent. 



Like many of the Faroe hills, the summit of Slattertint is 

 flat, and presents an irregularly oval plane, of sixty yards by 

 thirty-six in its greatest dimensions. This surface is covered 

 with thick moss, under which the soil was completely frozen. 

 We observed nothing remarkable in the composition of the 

 beds, and no minerals of any consequence. 



Vol. VII. H h The 



