IN THE FAROE ISLANDS. 21 5 



and full of holes and knobs, such as we may suppose would be 

 seen in metal first fused, and then cooled in water *.' 



Besides the desire natural to all travellers, to have a friend to 

 partake their labours and enjoyments, the particular object I 

 had in view, rendered it a matter of importance, that I should 

 have a companion, of whose competency to judge upon the 

 spot, of any new fact that might occur, there could be no doubt. 

 On proposing to him to take a share in the expedition, my 

 friend Mr Thomas Allan, whose great experience in geological 

 examination, and his intimate acquaintance with individual 

 minerals, eminently qualify him for research, readily agreed to 

 accompany me. 



The islands of Faroe, or North Faroe as they are commonly 

 called, are nearly midway between Shetland and Iceland; and 

 lie between the parallels of latitude 61° 20' and 62° 25', extend- 

 ing north and south about seventy-five miles. The meridian 

 of the seventh degree of west longitude divides the group into 

 two nearly equal parts ; the extreme points of land on the east 

 and west sides including 1° 25', or about forty miles. Besides 

 a great many detached rocks, the islands are eighteen in num- 

 ber ; the largest, viz. Stromoe and Osteroe, being in the centre. 

 The extent of the former is twenty-eight miles long, and, on 

 an average, six miles broad ; that of the latter, about the same 

 breadth, and twenty-two miles long. 



The general aspect of the country is mountainous and preci- 

 pitous ; and, while the lofty rocks which frown over the ocean, 

 inspire distrust in those who approach them for the first time, 

 many excellent harbours are to be found, where ships of any 

 size may ride securely. 



The principal place is Thorshavn, situate on the east side 

 of Stromoe. It is a small town consisting of wooden build- 

 ings, 



* Landt, p. 11. 



