196 DESCKirxiON or greext.akd. 



* 

 fine and good wheat grows there. Added to which, the same 



chronicle says, and very truly, that for the same reason, viz., 

 that of its elevation, it is not so intensely cold in Greenland 

 as in Norway. Now, it is unquestionable that very fine corn 

 grows in Norway ; and what I shall say on this subject may 

 appear strange to you, but persons whose opinions may be 

 depended on have certified it to me. There are places in 

 Norway where they have double harvests in three months, 

 for the reasons which you shall now hear. These places are 

 plains opposite rocks, upon which the sun strikes continually 

 during the glowing heats of the months of June, July, and 

 August ; and so intense a heat is reflected from the rocks 

 upon these plains, that in the course of six Aveeks they 

 plough, sow, and gather in the ripe corn. And as these 

 lands are very fat and moist, from the quantity of melted 

 snow with w^iich they have been watered, and which the 

 sun has hardened, they begin to sow again, and at the end 

 of another six weeks they do not fail to reap a second har- 

 vest as good as the first. 



It is probable that the land of Greenland, like all other 

 lands, is both good and bad in different parts, that it has 

 both plains and mountains, some fertile and others barren. 

 It is certain that there are a great number of rocks, and 

 the Icelandic Chronicle says especially that marbles of all 

 colours are found there. It is agreed that the grass of the 

 pasturage is excellent, and that there are great quantities of 

 sheep and oxen, as well as of hares, horses, stags, reindeer, 

 wolves, lynxes, foxes, and bears in great numbers, both white 

 and black. The Icelandic Chronicle also states that beavers 

 have been caught there, and martens as fine as the sables of 

 Muscovy. A great number of white and grey falcons are 

 found there, more than in any other part of the world. For- 

 merly they used to take these birds, as a great rarity and on 

 account of their extreme value, to the king of Denmark, 

 Avho made presents of them to kings and princes, their 



