III.-AN ACCOUNT OF THE LOFFODEN ISLANDS OF NORWAY/ 



It is not often that we obtain a description of that remarkable group 

 of islands on the east of Norway which our geographical handbooks 

 mention under the name of the Lofibden, and but few of the tourists to 

 Norway consider it worth their while to visit these rocky islands. Ke- 

 cently, however, we have received a very graphic description of the 

 Loflbden Islands in a German work, which we do not hesitate to lay be- 

 fore our readers, as the whole work will count among the best works on 

 Norway which have appeared in the German language. The title of the 

 book is Fahrten clitrck Noncef/en und die Lappniarlc [jaunts through Nor- 

 way and Laphmd], by G. Hartung and A. Bulk. Stuttgart. Kroner 

 Brothers, 1877. 8vo. 



The two authors have divided the work between them, the greater 

 portion, treating of Norway, being from the pen of Mr. Hartung, whicli 

 is followed by the beautiful description of Lapland by Mr. Dulk. We 

 can earnestly recommend the work as very interesting and instructive 

 reading, especially to those who contemplate a journey to Scandinavia, 

 and by reproducing the description of the Lofifoden Islands wo shall give 

 the reader an idea of the intellectual enjoyment which awaits him in 

 this attractive volume. 



" The closer we examine the peculiar coast formation of Norway the 

 more will the supposition gain strength that here the ocean has covered 

 the lower portion of an Alpine mountain range, a Cordillera with its pre- 

 viously-existing valleys. It is an undoubted fact that during and after 

 the glacial period the laud has repeatedly risen and sunk ; but it cannot 

 be proved with absolute certainty that during a preceding i^eriod this 

 whole mountain range was considerably higher than it is now ; nor can 

 it be denied as absolutely impossible. Reasons, however, may be given 

 for making this the most probable supposition. 



"At present the Scandinavian Cordillera only rises to about half the 

 height of the Alps. If, after the formation of the valleys existing at 

 the present time, the sea had risen among the Alps to a height of 5,000 

 feet, what a different aspect would the valley of the Eeuss, e. g., present, 

 which now shows such grand landscapes ! The water would extend 

 through the SchoUcnen and past Andermatt toward the mountain passes 

 of the Dissentis, the Gotthard, and the Furka. From the landing-place 

 of the vessels these mountain-passes could easily be reached, while at 

 I)resent they are only accessible by a long and diflicult road. These 



* Die Lofoten, from Das Ausland, 50th year, No. 31. Stuttgart, July 30, 1877. Traus- 

 lated by Herman Jacobson. 



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