V24 



OLAFSEN AND FOVELSEN's 



loped in a thick fog, while the air resounded with the continual 

 fall of vast precipices. 



FERTILITY OF THE NORTHERN QUARTER. 



We were enabled by experience to confirm the report, that 

 in the northern districts both grass and plants thrive abundantly; 

 a circumstance which is attributed to the prevalence of the north 

 winds. We remarked that the vapours which this wind 

 conveys to the districts near the sea, contribute materially to 

 fertilize the soil. Two principal causes may be assigned for this 

 effect. The first is, that the plants of the northern climates are, 

 as well as the inhabitants, accustomed to cold, and can support 

 it better than heat: hence, when they are transplanted to a 

 milder region, it is necessary not only to procure, an appropriate 

 soil, but even snow and ice are necessary to preserve them. 

 Another cause of the vigour of grass and plants in the northern 

 countries is, that their roots can withstand the rigours of winter. 



This district produces the same series of plants as are found in 

 the western part. The following species are met with in con- 

 siderable abundance: Gentiana, Centaurium (minus); Coch- 

 ledria; Achillea (millefolium) ; Epilobium (alpinum); A run- 

 do (arenaria); Papaver alpinum; Agaricus caulescem, pileo 

 atbo horizohtaii, lame /lis § stipite alb is; Agaricus caulescem, 

 pileo supra piano subconvexo horizontali, 8fc. ; Agaricus cau- 

 lescem, pileo subconvexo supra ex albo sanguined; Viola Mar- 

 tis tricolor; Gallium flore luteo; Pinguicula; Plantago 

 mervia; Ulmaria; Archangelica; Muscus Islandicus Lichen 

 foliaceus minimus ascendens ramosis; Coralloides tenuissimus 

 nigricans;; Bistorta (polygonum); Campanula (patula); 

 lihodiola; Juniperusfruticans; and Carduus heterophyllus. 



The various particulars relative to the character of the inha- 

 bitants, their manner of living, and the means of their subsistence, 

 are so very similar in their details to what we have already en- 

 larged upon, that no farther observation is necessary. We shall 

 therefore mention a few unconnected circumstances ; such as the 



SINGULAR METHOD OF CATC it i N G MOUNTAIN-FOWL. 



All the birds taken on the isle of Drangue, as well as then- 

 eggs, and the perroquets of Iceland, belong to the bishop. This 

 chase, if it may be so called, is very lucrative : but that pursued 

 by sea within circumference of the island is still more so, and is 

 performed in the following manner. They construct small rafts 

 of plank, about four feet long by two and a half wide, and fix 

 five of them together in such a manner that the distance between 

 each increases progressively from boat to boat. A cable, with a 

 large stone for an anchor, fixes them in the sea. Each raft is 



