THE GREENLANDERS. 173 



The climate of Greenland varies greatly with each local- 

 iy. tin the immediate vicinity of the open sea, the atmos- 

 phere is almost constantly charged with an abundance of cold 

 moisture. Dense fogs are common throughout the year ; but 

 near the heads of the bays and fiords the opposite atmospheric 

 condition prevails. There the winds are mainly from the 

 ice-covered interior, and have been freed of moisture by cold ; 

 hence dry air, few fogs, and, in summer, a very agreeable 

 temperature. The climate, on the whole, is by no means 

 disagreeable to Caucasians. Indeed, some regions above 

 Disco Inland would form most excellent sites for sanitariums ; 

 for the effect upon nervous patients is marvellous. The 

 natives, however, are badly fed, poorly clothed, and physi- 

 cally ruined by the misdirected charity of the Danish Govern- 

 ment. 



Contrary to the general belief, the people of Danish 

 Greenland are less able to withstand the rigors of the Arctic 

 atmosphere than are Scandinavians. Their wild elements of 

 life have been largely supplanted by ill-adapted, semi-civil- 

 ized habits which can only invite disease and destro ir the 

 people. 



The soil, when it exists, is fairly fertile, and well moistened. 

 In parts of the southern valleys a profusion of grass is found, 

 and occasionally a small patch of stunted forest of birch and 

 willows and other hardy trees, which grow to a height of from 

 one to six feet. The agricultural possibilities are extremely 

 limited, but there are many thousands of acres which would 

 undoubtedly yield a fair harvest if properly cultivated. Next 

 to nothing has been done by the Greenlander in this direc- 

 tion, and there does not seem to have been any effort to aid 

 him. Indeed, the most fertile lands in southern Greenland 

 are almost depopulated. 



The animal life on land and water is rapidly vanishing. 

 The wholesale slaughter of seals on the coast of Newfound- 



