238 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



which dotted here and there with pasture and arable 

 land, afford a pleasing contrast to the dull monotony of 

 the pine forests. 



The principal geological formations of the mountains 

 are granite, gneiss, mica-slate, and quartzite. These 

 exercise a great and appreciable influence not only 

 on the external configuration of the country, but 

 also upon its fertility. In some places, indeed, towards 

 the south-east various kinds of limestone are met with, 

 and here the vegetation is found to differ in a very 

 marked degree. 



The greatest part, therefore, of the country may 

 be said to consist of immense mountainous tracts 

 intersected in different directions by deep valleys. The 

 bottoms and sloping sides of these are adapted for the 

 abode of man ; but it is not usual to find habitations of a 

 stationary character at higher altitudes than 2,000 feet 

 above the sea ; and even the saeters, or chalets, where 

 the peasants usually reside a couple of months in the 

 summer with their cattle, are seldom above 3,000 feet. 



Although the valleys occupy but a subordinate propor- 

 tion of the whole area of the country, yet are they more 

 than any other part deserving of attention, as they com- 

 prise all the habitable and tillable terrain of Norway. 



In their lowest part runs a sinuous stream. The 

 intervening portion between the river and the foot 

 of the fjelds is covered with small patches of grass and 



