MINERALS OP NORWAY. 231 



The larch grows in a cultivated state in the extreme 

 south of Norway. 



The maple may be met with in Thelemarken. 



The spruce-fir is the most common tree in Norway, 

 and large forests of it are to be found, but not within 

 the Polar Circle. The same may be said of the Scotch 

 fir, with the addition, that it is to be seen in East 

 Finmark. 



Many species of willow are to be found in all parts 

 of Norway, even in Finmark. 



The yew is only to be met with in the extreme south 

 of this country. 



MlNEEALS. 



The minerals of Norway are iron, copper, silver, 

 cobalt, and nickel. 



Iron is chiefly found in the south. The ore is very 

 pure, and produces 95 per cent, of metal. Coal has 

 not been discovered in this country, and, as a natural 

 consequence, mining operations are yet in their in- 

 fancy; as, however, one or two English ironmasters 

 are turning their attention to Norway, it is very pos- 

 sible that there may be a change before long. 



Copper is found in the neighbourhood of Roraas, 

 where the mines are extensive; also in the valley of 

 the Alten, in West Finmark. 



Silver is principally found in the valley of the 

 Laagen Elv, at Kongsberg; and, as many changes 

 have taken place in the mines, some information about 

 them may be interesting. The first miners came from 

 Germany, and are said to have been an upright and 

 thrifty set of people. The discovery of the precious 

 metal was made by a farmer's boy, who accidentally 



