408 Europe : — a popular Physical Sketch. 



an article of luxury with them ; also Iceland moss and 

 several kinds of sea-weed (Sol) are eaten, and in some parts 

 the grains of a kind of oats (Sandhavre, Melur) which is 

 found both in a wild state, and cultivated here and there. 



Farislands. A group of small islands, the largest of 

 which are Suderoe, Siromoe, Ostero, and Vaagoe, situated 

 between 61° 30', and 62° 30' north lat. to the south-east of 

 Iceland, and nearer Scandinavia. They are very rocky, and 

 steep promontories rise 1066 to 2133 feet above the sea. To 

 land on the island of Dimon, it is necessary to be hoisted on 

 shore from the boat. The interior of these islands rises in 

 terraces (' Hamre'), and terminates in lofty peaks (' Tinder') 

 of which the highest are Slattaretind on Osteroe, 2880 feet, 

 and Skiellingfield on Siromoe, 2506 feet ; coal and opal (a 

 beautiful gem used for ornaments) are the most remarkable 

 mineral products. The climate is that of islands ; the winter 

 is mild, the summer cold and damp, the atmosphere foggy, 

 and the weather variable. The islands possess no forests. 

 Of grain, barley only succeeds, and that even not always ; 

 turnips and potatoes thrive, but gooseberry and red currants 

 never ripen. Agriculture of course is very trifling, and the 

 chief occupation of the inhabitants consists in sheep graz- 

 ing, and the manufacture of wool. Many are engaged in 

 hunting wild birds, abundant on the rocks of the coasts ; 

 as the precipices however, are all very steep, the sport is 

 extremely dangerous ; the birds being caught in a little net 

 attached to a pole. The bird catchers sometimes allow them- 

 selves to be lowered by a rope down the perpendicular rocks. 

 Eyder-down is also collected. The fishery is rather consider- 

 able ; the most important fish is the ' Grind,' a kind of 

 dolphin, which however frequently absent themselves from 

 the coast. 



Shetland and Orkneys. These two groups of islands are 

 situated SE. of the Farislands, towards Scotland (between 

 58° 30' and 61° north lat.) They evince great similarity to 



