252 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



possess aromatic properties, develop this peculiarity to 

 a surprising degree the further north they are found. 

 Even an interval of 3 of latitude produces a marked 

 difference in this respect. Thus, the bird cherry, lily 

 of the valley, &c., &c., have a much stronger scent in 

 the neighbourhood of Throndhjem than near Christiania. 



Another curious fact may, moreover, be noticed, that 

 in the case of fruits their sweetness diminishes in 

 proportion as their aroma is more fully developed. 



In average summers different varieties of plums will 

 ripen as far north as lat. 64, and wall grapes at a little 

 over lat. 61, though it must be allowed that they are 

 deficient in point of sweetness. But this deficiency is 

 more than counterbalanced by the delightful flavour 

 which their increased aromatic properties impart. 



The phenomena above mentioned can only be ac- 

 counted for by the great influence the long days exert 

 upon the vegetation in the far north, and by which oats 

 will ripen under lat. 69, rye under 69, and barley 

 under 70 ; where also Scotch fir and birch may be 

 found with stems three feet and one foot in diameter 

 respectively. 



The rapidity with which vegetable growth goes on is 

 almost incredible. From observations made at Alien, 

 lat. 64 57' 30", it has been ascertained that barley will 

 grow two and a half inches, and peas three inches in the 

 twenty-four hours for . several consecutive days ; and 



