Sketch of the Geology of the Arctic Regions. 15 
mixed with shining silvery specks, and full of transparent garnets—no 
salt, alum, or nitre. A fine bright glimmer sand, of a golden color, 
abounds in some of the vallies; and it is stated by Egede, that its 
appearance was so seducing, that two successive expeditions were 
sent from Denmark, in the early part of the eighteenth century,* for 
cargoes of it, in the expectation of finding gold. Not discouraged 
by the first failure, a second ship was laden with it, which after the 
most careful analysis, was found worthless, and the enterprize ter- 
minated in a total loss. 
In fenny places, turf, or peat is found interspersed with roots, 
branches, decayed wood, and withered grass. Much of the peat 
contains sea shells, and fossil remains, from which it is suspected, 
that the sea washed over it, and retreated from it at some distant 
day. No wood grows, but drift wood is frequently obtained on the sea 
coasts, particularly in the southern and western parts. ‘The east sea 
coast being inaccessible, by reason of the mountains of ice, is termed 
“Lost Greenland ;” and although the inhabitants have many tra- 
ditions concerning it, they cannot be quoted as authentic data, being 
little better than distorted legends. The west coast is indented with 
deep bays, which are believed by many to be straits, passing through 
to the Atlantic Ocean, dividing Greenland into a succession of islands; 
but the extent of the gulfs, and the northern boundaries of! the land 
are unknown, although the N. E. coasts, from 72° to 80°, have 
been explored by Mr. Scoresby. 
V. Ice.Lanp. 
This island, if not originally thrown up by volcanic explosions, ex- 
hibits, over its whole surface, the results of such action, being every 
where marked by volcanic remains. 
Iceland may be said to be planted with volcanos, in constant ac- 
tivity, every bristling peak, sooner or later, vomiting fire. The 
minerals mingled with the lavas, correspond with those found among 
volcanic substances, in other latitudes ; and it may be inferred that 
the formation is analogous to that of those mountainous tracts which 
are agitated by volcanic agencies in other parts of the globe. The 
pumice, zeolites, enamels, jaspers, flints, and the scorie, seen by 
* Kirquilen, in his voyage to the North, says it was in 1636. 
