NOVA ZEMBLA. 



155 



Kova Zembla. Long before Barentz made Western Europe acquainted with 

 the existence of Nova Zembla (1594-96), the land was known to the Russians 

 as a valuable hunting or fishing ground ; for the Dutch discoverer met with a 

 large number of their vessels on its coast. Burrough, who visited the port of 

 Kola in 1556, in search of the unfortunate Willoughby, and thence sailed as 

 far as the mouth of the Petschora, likewise saw in the gulf of Kola no less than 

 thirty lodjes, all destined for walrus-hunting in Nova Zembla. 



Whether, before the Russians, the adventurous Norsemen ever visited these 

 desolate islands, is unknown, but so much is certain, that ever since the times 

 of Barentz the expeditions of the Muscovites to its western coast have been 

 uninterruptedly continued. As is the case with all fishing speculations, their 

 success very much depends upon chance. The year 1834 was very lucrative, 

 so that in the following season about eighty ships, with at least 1000 men on 

 board, sailed for Nova Zembla from the ports of the White Sea, but this time 

 the results were so unsatisfactory that in 1836 scarce half the number were 

 fitted out. In 1837 no more than twenty vessels were employed, and Von 

 Baer relates that but one of them which penetrated into the sea of Kara made 

 a considerable profit, while all the rest, with but few exceptions, did not pay 

 one-half of their expenses. 



The most valuable animals are the walrus and the white dolphin, or beluga. 

 Among the seals, the Phoca alhigena of Pallas distinguishes itself by its size, 

 the thickness of its skin, and its quantity of fat ; Phoca groenlandica and Phoca 

 hispida rank next in estimation. The Greenland whale never extends his ex- 

 cursions to the waters of Nova Zembla, but the fin-back ^nd the grampus are 

 frequently seen. 



The Alpine salmon {Salmo alpinus), which towards autumn ascends into 

 the mountain-lakes, is caught in incredible numbers ; and, finally, the bean- 

 goose {Anser segetum) breeds so frequently, at least upon the southern island, 

 that the gathering of its quill-feathers is an object of some importance. 



