;6o 



NORWAY. 



Did not the barometer show the pressure 

 of the air to be less in such elevated 

 places, it would seem contrary to reason 

 that it should be so, upon tlie following 

 principles. We know these alps to be 

 higher than any other hills, as no current 

 runs across them. The streams on the 

 western side take their course down to the 

 western ocean, while those on the east 

 run into the sea on that side. If we take 

 into consideration the abundance of cas- 

 cades formed by these alpine torrents, in 

 their way to the sea, the stupendous ele- 

 vation of the hills will be the more evi- 

 dent, not only on that side but on the 

 opposite one also. Vv^hen therefore the 

 wind blows over this country, whether 

 from the sea or the land, the air, having 

 to pass such groat heights, must of course 

 be more condensed by meeting with such 

 an obstruction. Thus moreover its force 

 is increased, as well as the sensation of 

 cold which it gives. The air being ren- 

 dered, by whatever cause, more compact 



