NEWFOUNDLAND 



695 



ing its broken and nigged shores, the circumference 

 may be stated at 1001) miles; the whole comprising 

 an area of 36,000 square miles. 



Little is known of the interior of this vast 

 island, which stands on an immense bank, in length 

 about 600 miles, with a breadth of about 200 miles, 

 and with soundings varying from twenty-five to 

 ninety-five fathoms ; the base being a mass of solid 

 rock, with abrupt fissures, &c. There are ap- 

 parently two banks, the outer one lies within the 

 parallels of 44 W and 47 30 7 north latitude, and 

 the meridians 44 15' and 45 25' west longitude, 

 with soundings from 100 to 160 fathoms. This 

 bank appears to be a continuation of the Great 

 Bank, and a succession may be observed the whole 

 way to Nova Scotia. Newfoundland is in shape 

 nearly triangular, the apex thereof being to the 

 northward, and the base extending east and west 

 from Cape. Ray to Cape Race. Like the Nova 

 Scotia shores, the coast is every where indented, at 

 intervals of two or three miles, by broad and deep 

 bays, innumerable harbours, coves, creeks, and 

 rivers. The island all round is rocky (with pebbly 

 beaches), generally covered with wood down to the 

 water's edge, and with some lofty headlands on the 

 south-west side. 



The climate of Newfoundland varies according 

 to the locale of the island, whether north or south ; 

 and the weather, although severe, is less fierce 

 than that of Lower Canada; while, during a long 

 winter, the brilliancy of the Aurora Borealis, and 

 the splendid lustre of the moon and stars, give pe- 

 culiar beauty to the atmosphere. The most re- 

 markable feature connected with Newfoundland is 

 the fogs on its banks and neighbouring shores. 



The fogs of the Gulf of St Lawrence are attri- 

 buted to the coldness of the gulf waters, which is 

 believed to be constant a few feet below the sur- 

 face as well as at great depths; every gale of wind 

 brings this cold water to the surface, by which the 

 temperature of the air is reduced below the dew 

 point, at which suspended vapours become visible 

 and precipitated. Those on the Banks of New- 

 foundland are most probably caused by the cold 

 deep water flowing from the Poles to the Equator, 

 being forced to the surface there in consequence of 

 the interruption given by the banks to its course 

 towards the southward. The surface water on 

 the Great Bank is many degrees colder than the 

 surface of the neighbouring sea, and much less than 

 that of the gulf stream, which is within a short 

 distance. 



The fogs on the banks of Newfoundland, and 

 even in the Gulf of St Lawrence, are sometimes 

 so dense, that in fine, almost calm weather, with 

 the sun shining over head, two vessels pass each 

 other unseen, while the voices of persons talking 

 can be heard from either ship. The fog appears to 

 lie on the surface of the water, for when near land, 

 an observer from the mast head may descry it quite 

 distinctly, while on deck no object within a few 

 yards distance is visible. The fogs are not gene- 

 rally attended with rain, but the decks are often 

 kept wet, and the higher masts and rigging collect 

 the condensed moisture of the atmosphere in large 

 drops. 



In the early part of summer, when the waters 

 have not acquired a temperature approaching 

 that of the air, a peculiar mirage is observable 

 off Newfoundland and in the Gulf of St Lawrence; 

 during its early existence the line of trees with 

 which the hills are covered, seem raised much 



above the level of the rest, resembling a lofty 

 hedge row; this, however, is soon lost, as all the 

 trees apparently attain the same height, giving the 

 appearance of an immense table, stretching from 

 hill to hill; the shores in the meantime assume the 

 semblance of a great wall, and the island seems 

 girt with a similar inclosure, or bounded with pre- 

 cipices all round; their tops also look flat like 

 tables, and the small islands often assume a flower- 

 pot shape. Dr Kelly observed one instance in the 

 river St Lawrence, where the islands of Bic and 

 Bicquette appeared to join their wooded tops to 

 meet, leaving an arch, beneath which the waters 

 seemed to flow. On the beach the spray seems to 

 rise in foam to the tops of these imaginary cliffs, 

 while the houses, &c., attain a similar height. 

 Ships, according to their distance, present different 

 elevations, sometimes rising to twice their real 

 height, at others the masts reach only a few feet 

 from the deck ; sometimes the upper sails seem 

 double a second set being seen at a considerable 

 height above the first while again a second ves- 

 sel's hull, sails and all, is seen above the first ; but 

 in no instance is inversion observed, and the object 

 thus refracted is always visible to the naked eye. 

 The fogs do not appear to be injurious to health. 

 The longevity of the inhabitants is indeed the best 

 proof of the salubrity of Newfoundland; in no 

 country is old age attended with greater bo.dily 

 vigour and mental animation. There are instances 

 of fishermen 100 years of age being actively em- 

 ployed in the arduous duties of their calling. 



An account of the number and description of Vessels employed 

 in the Fisheries of Newfoundland, and of the quantities of 

 Fish and of Oil, the produce thereof; stating likewise the 

 Coimtries whereto the same was exported during the year 

 ending 30lh June, 1832. 



