40 



OLAFSEN AND POVELSEN's 



that there were already crevices formed in the ice of a greenish 

 colour, which proceeds from the rays of light breaking against 

 them. Hence it appears, that the ice accumulates from time 

 to time, and produces new glaciers on mountains of inconsi- 

 derable height, when cold winds blow regularly at certain periods 

 every year, and when the nature of the soil is not inimical to 

 their formation. 



There is a mountain called the Baula, belonging to the white 

 class # , and which is worthy of notice, on account of its extreme 

 irregularity : it is very high and steep, and rises to a point. It 

 may be seen at a great distance, and, in all probability, has been 

 formed by subterraneous fires : the stones of which it is consti- 

 tuted, are mostly clear, and, as it were, inserted in each other, 

 with the exception however of the rock that forms the sum- 

 mit, which is composed of a stony mass burnt to black- 

 ness. Amongst the ashes found at the bottom, and which have 

 proceeded from eruptions, are black agates of various sizes. 



There are several other mountains in this district, which de- 

 serve the attention of naturalists, particularly that of Wester 

 Skardsheide, remarkable also for its irregular conformation : 

 its rocks consist of stones changed into lava, which substance 

 is replete with small crystals of spath and quartz, become 

 brittle, yellow, and opaque; their form is various, which 

 seems to shew, that they have been subjected to a violent heat. 

 One might be inclined to think with Linnaeus and other learned 

 moderns, that these stones have been attacked and rounded 

 by the action of the air and wind, or that they have been 

 changed into a calcareous matter from a want of succus mi- 

 neralis, or mineral juice. There are, however, many reasons 

 for the opinion which we have given having a better founda- 

 tion. 



JOURNEY TO THE GLACIER OF GEITLANJD. 



We were induced to undertake this journey, because we had 

 never before visited any glaciers ; nor had we been able to 

 procure any satisfactory information about them. We were also 

 obliged to give our own opinion of these wonders, in order to 

 conform to the express wish of the Academy. On arriving in 

 sight of the glacier of Geitland, which overtops all the other 

 mountains, we took an opportunity of satisfying our own cu- 

 riosity, and fulfilling the orders imposed on us. 



This glacier, which deserves to be classed amongst the 

 mountains most irregular in their formation, furnished us with 

 discoveries completely novel. 



* By the white class, the authors mean those composed of gravel and 

 argillaceous mould, which present a greyish appearance; in opposition to 

 such as are of pumice-stone or lava, and which look blackish or red. £d. 



