254 SPORT IN NORWAY. 



That the glaciers should have this constant descend- 

 ing tendency is a phenomenon which scientific observa- 

 tions do not justify. That they do have a periodic 

 ascending and descending tendency has, however, been 

 frequently noticed in the Alps of Switzerland, and 

 has been shown to depend on the comparative warmth 

 or cold of the summers. Neither does the discovery 

 of the remains of trees above the now existing tree 

 limit support the theory, but is rather a speaking 

 testimony to the more or less sudden upheaval of the 

 land in prehistoric times. 



After the foregoing cursory description of the phy- 

 sical geography of Norway, a few lines must be devoted 

 to its inhabitants. 



From time immemorial two races essentially different 

 in origin, civilization, and language have peopled the 

 Scandinavian peninsula. In its northern parts we meet 

 with the Lapp, whose short stunted statures, yellow 

 complexion, flat faces, and squinting eyes, smooth and 

 dark hair, betray unmistakeable signs of their Asiatic 

 origin, an inference fully borne out by their wandering, 

 nomadic life. Protected against the severity of the 

 winter by their warm reindeer skin clothing, they 

 pitch their tents in those places which afford the most 

 nutriment for their large flocks of tame deer, in which, 

 indeed, their sole property and wealth consists. During 

 the summer and autumn they devote a good deal of 



