86 p. A. ØYEN. 



stated by Neumann to be, as regards the Lesser Glacier of Sup- 

 helle, 1500 paces, as regards the Greater Glacier of Suphelle, 

 752 paces, as regards the Glacier of Boiuni, 900 paces, and as 

 regards the Glacier of Veslefjord, 2000 paces. The figures here 

 communicated do not appear to be very exact, but they are, 

 nevertheless, indicative of a rather considerable decrease of gla- 

 ciers, which, even in this place, calls for more special attention. 



In the following year, 1820, a catastrophe, likely to attract 

 special attention, is also recorded by Neumann. In that year a 

 large part of the Veslefjordsdal was exposed to considerable devas- 

 tation, caused by the rush of an enormous volume of water 

 through the valley. Neumann states that a huge hole was to be 

 seen at the end of the glacier even with the naked eye, and he 

 further relates, that in the above-mentioned year, water accumu- 

 lated to such an extent, that at last the glacier suddenly cracked 

 in front, and a tremendous rush of water took place as we have 

 already mentioned. De Seue, indeed, gives another explanation 

 of the phenomenon. He says, „on est porté à croire, que la 

 cause de cette inondation est, qu'une avalanche a formé une 

 digue et a barré le passage aux eaux d'un petit lac appelé Skade- 

 våndet (o: le lac de détresse) situé au côté 0. du glacier. A la 

 fin il parait, que les eaux ont tellement augmenté de force, qu'elles 

 ont rompu la digue." 



My former view of this phenomenon has, however, been 

 fully confirmed by statements, kindly forwarded to me by Mr. 

 MuNDAL, who in the autumn of the present year took a trip to 

 ascertain the geographical conditions of the Lakelet of Skade- 

 vand. The lakelet was, he says, even in the latter half of last 

 September, so frozen over as to be quite safely crossed; only 

 near the outlet was there an opening. The river is said to dis- 

 charge itself through a narrow fissure in the living rock. By 

 means of the Official Topographical Map made to the scale of 

 one centimetre to a kilometre, and aided by a sketch-map and 

 a short description given by Mr. Mundal, an attempt has been 



