254 SPORT IN NORWAY. 
That the glaciers should have this constant descend- 
ing tendency is a phenomenon which scientific observa- 
tions do not justify. That they do have a periodic 
ascending and descending tendency has, however, been 
frequently noticed in the Alps of Switzerland, and 
has been shown to depend on the comparative warmth 
or cold of the summers. Neither does the discovery 
of the remains of trees above the now existing tree 
limit support the theory, but is rather a speaking 
testimony to the more or less sudden upheaval of the 
land in prehistoric times. 
After the foregoing cursory description of the phy- 
sical geography of Norway, a few lines must be devoted 
to its inhabitants. 
From time immemorial two races essentially different 
in origin, civilization, and language have peopled the 
Scandinavian peninsula. In its northern parts we meet 
with the Lapp, whose short stunted statures, yellow 
complexion, flat faces, and squinting eyes, smooth and 
dark hair, betray unmistakeable signs of their Asiatic 
origin, an inference fully borne out by their wandering, 
nomadic life. Protected against the severity of the 
winter by their warm reindeer skin clothing, they 
pitch their tents in those places which afford the most 
nutriment for their large flocks of tame deer, in which, 
indeed, their sole property and wealth consists. During 
the summer and autumn they devote a good deal of 
