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On Some Points in the Physical Geography of Norway, 

 chiefly connected with its Snow-Fields and Glaciers. By 

 Professor James Forbes, D.C.L., F.R.S., Sec. U.S. Ed., 

 Corresponding Member of the Institute of France. 



[We insert the ninth chapter of an admirable work that has 

 just appeared from the pen of Professor James D. Forbes, 

 on Norway and its Glaciers, visited in 1851 — followed by 

 Journals of Excursions in the High Alps of Danphine, 

 Berne, and Savoy. This invaluable work, so deeply in- 

 teresting and important, reflects great honour on our dis- 

 tinguished friend, and shews his usual profound knowledge 

 of the various subjects treated of, and is a valuable addi- 

 tion to the scientific world. It ought to be carefully 

 studied by every traveller.] 



Introductory Remarks. § 1. On the Configuration of Norway — Its 

 Ground Plan — Its Mountainous Districts or Fields are usually Pla- 

 teaux — Large proportion of elevated Area — The Kjolen Mountains — 

 their existence denied by some Geographers — Three Sections of Nor- 

 way. § 2. On some peculiarities of the Climate of Norway — Less 

 severe than commonly supposed, or than any other land in the same 

 parallel — The causes of this — The Summer and Winter curves of equal 

 temperature — Contrast of the two sides of the Peninsula. § 3. On the 

 position of the Snow -line in Norway — Mainly determined by the Sum- 

 mer temperature—Particulars of observations on the subject — Of the 

 limit of growth of the Birch — Influence of the Sea in depressing the 

 Snow-line — Table of Results. 



Amongst the many questions w T ith which a stray traveller 

 is sure to be addressed by the peasantry of a remote 

 country, one of the most puzzling to answer is, as to the 

 pleasure or information he can find in looking at their hills 

 and waters, and woods and snows. Has he not enough of 

 such things at home % What value have stones and plants, 

 which lie utterly concealed from the eyes of the inhabitants 

 to whom they belong, but which can tempt the wealthy 

 stranger to lose his time, his money, and his comfort, in 

 examining, perhaps in collecting them.* The naturalness of 



* The inability of the peasantry to ascribe any other motive than interest or 

 compulsion to such journeys, is amusingly experienced by every traveller off 



