84 



SCANDINAVIA. 



insular masses. The surface resembles that of quagmires baked in the sun, and 

 attempts have been made to restore the Norwegian chart by indicating all the 

 primitive fissures that have become fiords. But although these fissures at first 

 sight seem the result of erosion, it is difficult to understand how it is that they 

 occur generally in the hardest rocks, and are spread with remarkable uniformity 

 for hundreds of miles over fiords and highlands. A series of such parallel troughs 



Fig. 40. — QUADKANGULAU MaSSES IN SoUTH NoKWAY SEPARATED BY FlSSUllES. 



Scale 1 : 618,000. 



Depth under 275Fi.thn"is. 



Depth over 275 Fathoms. 

 — 10 Miles. 



extends north and south from the Molde-fiord to the Naze, and another is connected 

 south-east with the Gvilf of Christiania. 



All these intricate inlets present an enormous coast-line, the navigable channels 

 alone being estimated at no less than 12,000 miles. Most of the coasting trade is 

 carried on through these inland waterways, or between the outer islands and the 

 seaboard. The lighter craft are even transported from fiord to fiord across 

 portages or depressions, known as ejder, often less than 300 feet high. 



Some of the fiords are so effectually cut off" from the sea by islands and reefs 

 that the fresh water of the melting snows and rains lies 4 feet deep on the 

 surface. It is so pure that vessels are able to replenish their water casks from 



