winters the temperature will vary in a short space of time from 30° Reaumur of cold to several degrees of heat: this change is generally produced by the south-east wind, which has always a great influence on the temperature in North Greenland. In comparison with Denmark, it is calculated that the coldest months in this country, viz., January and February, answer to the month of May in Omenak, which is about the centre of North Greenland; that the warmest month in Omenak answers to April in Denmark ; and that the coldest half of the year in Denmark, viz., from November to April, is 2° Reaumur warmer than the warmest half of the year, viz., from May to October, in Omenak. The population of North Greenland has in twenty years, viz., from 1830 to 1850, increased about 46 per cent. In 1850 the population was 3,299 natives, and about 100 Danes; and in 1855, as mentioned above, 3,516 natives, and about 128 Danes. These are spread over a great extent of country, and, with the exception of six places, where there about 100 inhabitants, there are only, on an average, about 40 to each inhabited place. These inhabited places, consisting of a rude kind of huts and tents, are always situated near the sea, from 50 to 100 yards from the shore. The interior of the land is entirely uninhabited. The Danish colonies extend along the coast to about 73° north latitude. The east coast, which is always surrounded by ice, is only inhabited by a few Esquimaux families. About fifty Danes have intermarried with Greenlanders, and live in huts of Greenland construction, though with some ameliorations. Mountains rising to an elevation of 4000 feet, and covered with ice, prevent, in most parts, all entrance into the interior of the country. There are several large bays, the chief of which is Disco Bay, about fifty English miles long. The rivers are the Baal and the Rummulpotten, which last divides North from South Greenland.

Of all the animals which furnish the Esquimaux with their necessaries of life, the seal occupies by far the most important place. There is hardly any season of the year in which some of these animals are not to be found in the vicinity of the shore, though it is true the greater portion depart in July, August, and September. According to an average calculation of four years, viz., from 1845 to 1849, the annual number of seal-skins for sale in North Greenland is 35,000, amounting in value to 94,000 rix-dollars. Besides these skins, together with the fat, furnishing the natives with the means of procuring other articles of necessity and luxury, the flesh of the seal forms their chief daily and favourite food, and the skin the principal material for their clothing. Besides the common seal, there are in North Greenland two other kinds of a larger description, the Phoca Groenlandica and the Phoca Barbata, remarkable for their size, which is double that of the common seal, and whose skin is indispensable for the inhabitants for their tents, canoes, &c. The latter, whose skin is the most valuable, is only taken in a few places near the extreme coast and in the open sea, and in very small quantities. As the greater part of the skins of these larger kinds of seals is used in the country, it is difficult to calculate how many are taken; yearly, the value of the skins offered for sale is about 10,300 rixdollars. Besides seals, several hundreds of dolphins and narvals, or seaunicorns, are taken yearly on the coast of North Greenland, whose flesh and skin also serve as food to the Esquimaux, and the oil for lamps. The latter, whose teeth are very valuable, are taken in the greatest quantities in the Omenak fiord, where they generally appear in November.

The total number of seals taken yearly in North Greenland is calculated

at something over 50,000, with the produce of which, together with that of dolphins and narvals, &c., the Greenlanders, after having first provided themselves with their most important food, light, fodder for their dogs (an indispensable beast in a Greenlander's establishment), for nine months of the year, as well as materials for harness, summer dwellings, &c., are in a position to furnish produce for trade to the value of about 113,000 rixdollars.

Whales were formerly taken by Greenlanders with harpoons and bladders from their canoes, but this mode of capture has, for some time past, quite fallen into disuse, and very few, if any, whales, are now ever taken by the natives. The Danish whale-fishery off the coast of North Greenland, which was formerly, and especially from 1790 to 1810, of great importance, has since gradually decreased, and may now be said to have altogether ceased. In comparison to the sea, the land produces but very small resources, and these are entirely derived from the chase, the principal object of which is the reindeer. These are not spread equally over the whole country; they are generally shot by the Greenlanders in summer, the greater part in the more southern districts of North Greenland. It is calculated that from 8000 to 9000 are killed yearly; of these about one-half the skins are sold, and the other half employed by the natives for their tents, sledges, &c. Fresh reindeer meat is bought by the Danes for 3 skillings (about d.) per lb. Of foxes there are two varieties, the white and the blue, the skin of which is a valuable article of trade. In the latter colour there is a great difference with respect to the quality of the skins, which for trading purposes are divided into three numbers. The best are those of a dark colour and with long hair. The best skins fetch in the European market from 16 to 17 rix-dollars each, and sometimes as much as 27 rix-dollars. Foxes which are intended to furnish skins for trade are only killed from November till March, as at other times the skins are out of season, the hair short, and of a dirty grey colour. They are sometimes caught in traps in the open fields; but the greater part are shot. From 400 to 500 skins, the greater part blue, are exported annually from North Greenland, of the value of about 2000 rix-dollars.

About thirty white bears are killed annually in the northern inspectorate. They are generally found in the ice. In North Greenland there are no means for breeding cattle, and no possibility of cultivating any kind of plant, in such a way, at least, as it would serve as food for the inhabitants. There are but few minerals of any economical importance; some lead-stone has been discovered, and of late years a little coal has been produced, which has furnished a certain amount of fuel to the inhabitants. There are no trade localities in North Greenland to which articles of trade are brought for sale. The exchange takes place by means of paper money of the respective value of 1 rix-dollar, 24 skillings, 12 skillings, and 6 skillings, which are issued by the Direction.

The means of communication are by a rough kind of sledges, drawn by dogs from four to twelve in number, which sometimes, over even ice, perform fifteen or sixteen miles in an hour, though the average rate is not more than seven or eight miles. The prices of seal skins in North Greenland were formerly from 6 to 12 skillings (14d. to 3d.) a-piece, but have lately increased from 22 to 20 skillings; reindeer skins from 7d. to 18. 2d. each; blue-fox skins from 7d. to 2s. 3d.; uncleaned eider down is about 7d. per lb.

SOUTH GREENLAND.--The most southern point of South Greenland, Cape Farewell, is situated at 59° 45′ north latitude, and 56° 35' west longitude. There is a great difference in the climate between South and North Greenland. At Julianahaal, in 1853, the greatest heat in the shade was 16° Reaumur. In the winter of 1854-55, which was very severe in the northern part of Greenland, the greatest cold was 17° Reaumur. There is much more snow and rain than in the north; the weather is more changeable, and there are frequent storms of wind and snow; communication is consequently more difficult, and for some months rendered almost impossible. Notwithstanding its more southern situation, hardly any plant or grain will thrive; this is principally owing to the long time the snow remains on the ground. The produce of South Greenland is very nearly of the same kind as that of the northern inspectorate, only it is much less in proportion to the number of inhabitants than in the latter. The increase of the population from 1830 to 1850 was not so great as in North Greenland; it amounted to about 25 per cent. only. From 1852 to 1855 it had, on the other hand, decreased from 6255 to 6128 souls. This decrease was chiefly owing to the scarcity of provisions which prevailed during that period.

The population of South Greenland is distributed over a space of upwards of 600 miles. The usual distance between the inhabited portions is from 30 to 35 miles, though in some instances there is an interval of from 45 to 65 miles. The total number of inhabited places in South Greenland is 130, consequently the amount of inhabitants in each spot is very small. In 1855 it was as follows:-One place, with about 300 inhabitants; 3 ditto, between 201 and 300; 19 ditto, between 101 and 200; 36 ditto, between 26 and 50; 60 ditto, about 25; altogether, 130 places, with an average population of 48 souls to each. As mentioned above, the produce of South Greenland is considerably less in proportion to the number of inhabitants than in the Northern Inspectorate; it had, however, to the year 1852, steadily increased. The reason for this was to be attributed in a great measure to the greater facilities that were afforded to trade by the establishment of a greater number of market-places. Since the year 1852 the produce has again decreased. The number of trading-places are 6 larger and 27 smaller

ones.

According to the average of five years, viz., from 1852 to 1857, the annual produce brought to market is as follows:-Fat of seals and dolphins, &c., 4909 tonde; fat of different kinds of whales, 198 tonde; fat of dog and cod fish, 506 tonde; bear skins, 19 pieces; fox skins, 1858 pieces; seal skins, 11,984 pieces; reindeer skins, 6293 pieces; unbleached eider-down, 2866 lbs.; birds' feathers, 3713 lbs. According to calculation, the number of seals taken yearly in South Greenland is 42,000, of which, 18,250 of the larger, and 24,000 of the smaller sort. Upon an average, this number of animals may be said to give about, 3,500,000 lbs. of flesh, and 7600 tonde of fat, of which latter 4600 tonde are dedicated to trade, and the remaining 3000 tonde are employed by the Greenlanders partly for food and partly for lamps. The best season for seals is from September to December, when from 20,000 to 24,000 are usually taken. The time they are the most scarce is from January till April, in which period generally from 6000 to 8000 of the smallest kind only are captured. The greater part are taken from canoes by means of two instruments: the harpoon, made of bone or iron; and a large spear, with which the animal is killed, after having first been struck by the harpoon.

Whale-fishery, as in North Greenland, has nearly ceased. In the three years, from 1849 to 1851, there were only six whales taken; in the following three years, none at all; and from that time to 1587, three whales only. The principal fish taken in South Greenland are dog-fish, a large kind of cod-fish, and salmon. Of dog-fish, about 3000 are caught yearly, the greater part in the autumn. They vary in size from three to seven ells in length. The average quantity of train oil produced by each fish is about tonde. The last few years this fishing has increased. The larger kind of cod fish ("kublian") are taken in great numbers; they vary in size from 2 to 20 lbs.; about 200,000 are caught annually. Besides the above, a great quantity of smaller fish are caught in summer, which are dried and kept for winter food.

The number of reindeer killed has much decreased within the last few years. During the period of five years, from 1840 to 1845, it was calculated that, on an average, 16,000 were killed yearly, whereas, from the period 1851 to 1855, about half that number only, annually. They are generally shot a long way up in the country, and, consequently, from the difficulty of conveying the animals to their huts, a great part is often left to waste on the ground. As in North Greenland, there are two kinds of foxes, the white and the blue. Since the year 1830, the average number killed yearly is about 1200 blue and 600 white. The greater part are taken in the neighbourhood of the Tunnudliorbik, Igalliko, and Lichtenan fiords. The best year was from 1831 to 1832, when 2300 were killed. There are but few bears in South Greenland, the average number of skins for sale yearly only amounting to 16. Quantities of sea birds frequent the coast in large flocks during the winter, and are of great importance to the inhabitants, as they furnish them with winter clothing and food. Of these, the eider-down duck is taken in the greatest numbers, and is the most valuable. In the year 1855, 29,700 eider-down ducks and 68,550 of a smaller kind of seabirds were taken.

According to calculation, the yearly produce of the chase and fishing in North and South Greenland together is as follows:- Teals of various descriptions, from 90,000 to 100,000; dolphins and narvals, &c., from 400 to 500; whales, from 2 to 3; reindeer, from 10,000 to 20,000; foxes, from 1000 to 3000; bears, from 30 to 60; dog-fish, from 10,000 to 30,000. Trade. The trade, which is a monopoly of the Danish Government, was instituted about the middle of last century, at the same time as the religious missions. In consequence of this monopoly, it is in the power of the Danish Government, not only to fix the prices of the goods, but also to determine the kind of goods to be imported into Greenland; but the principle I believe generally followed, is to select articles most adapted to the manner of living of the inhabitants, and to fix the prices with relation to the importance they have for them, viz., by reckoning articles of luxury highest, and but little profit on articles most generally required for the amelioration of their houses, capture of seals, &c. According to an extract of the taxes of the commercial year 1853-54, the prices of provisions imported into Greenland were as follows:-Butter, 42 skillings per lb.; peas, about 11 rix-dollars per tonde; groats, 13 rix-dollars per tonde; common ship-bread, 74d. per lb. ; fire-arms of different sorts, from 13 rix-dollars 43 skillings to 22 rix-dollars each; gunpowder, 34 skillings per lb.; lead, 11 skillings per lb.; coffee, 28 skillings per lb. double-refined sugar and candy, 20 skillings per lb. ; Congo tea, Irix-dollar per lb.; figs, 10 skillings per lb. Of mercury,

amongst which white shirting, 15 skillings the ell; unbleached ditto, 12 skillings. Of timber, 52 sorts, planks from 27 to 48 skillings a piece. Different sorts of coal, amongst others English coal valued at 3 rix-dollars 48 skillings per tonde; but sold to the Greenlanders at 48 skillings per tonde in order to promote its application for stoves and fire-places.

The total value of the produce of Greenland imported into Denmark in six years, from 1850 to 1855, is as follows:-1850, 353,262 rix-dollars; 1851, 347,967 rix-dollars; 1852, 348,326 rix-dollars: 1853, 356,340 rixdols.; 1854, 335,725 rix-dols.; 1855, 494,581 rix-dols. It must be remarked that the prices in those years, on some of the Greenland productions, have undergone a great change: thus, light-brown train oil has risen from 26 dollars 93 skillings to 40 dollars 28 skillings; and reindeer skins, from 2 rix-dollars 91 skillings to 5 rix-dollars 17 skillings. The principal articles imported from Greenland are, train oil, seal, reindeer, and fox skins. The chief articles exported from Denmark to Greenland are, corn, bread, coffee, tobacco, sugar, wood, and brandy. The annual value of the export trade, according to an average of five years, from 1851 to 1855, is 164,251 dollars.

FAEROE ISLANDS.-These islands, thirty-five in number, are situated in the Atlantic Ocean between Iceland and the Shetland Islands. Seventeen only of them are inhabited: these are Strömo, containing 2162 inhabitants; Tydero, 1156; Ostero, 1909; Baago, 649; Sando, 528; Bordo, 304; Kalsoe, 196; Nolsoe, 149; Kuno, 149; Vedero, 134; Myggenas, 99; Fuglö, 88; Svino, 82; Skino, 61; Hesto, 50; Kolter, 44; and Storo Dimon, 21: the total population, according to the census of the 24th June, 1845, being 7781. It has increased by 2500 since the beginning of this century.

The language is an ancient dialect of the North; but that of the church, schools, and courts of justice, is Danish. These islands are formed of rocks, and covered only in places with a very thin bed of soil; the coast in general is steep, and presents innumerable promontories, mounting to a height of 2000 feet above the level of the sea. The interior of the islands is formed of a kind of terraces, the lowest only of which are capable of cultivation. The air is foggy, and the weather in general variable; but the winter is usually so mild that sheep and horses are left out. The mean temperature is, however, only 7 deg. and 8 deg. Reaumur. Of grain, the Faeroe Islands only produce barley, and that does not generally ripen well. Potatoes and turnips are also cultivated, and succeed better. The principal sources of revenue are sheep-breeding, fishing, and wild-fowl shooting.

On the islands of Tuderö, Myggenas, and Tindholmen, some coal has been found; but it is only on the north part of the former island that it is of any economical importance; there the beds are of considerable extent, and the coal generally of a better quality than the Swedish, though inferior to the English; there is also a considerable quantity of peat. The principal fish caught are cod and herrings. Some seals are also taken.

Trade. The trade was formerly a royal monopoly, but by the law of 21st March, 1855, that monopoly was repealed, and a free trade instituted; the only duty to which foreign vessels (with some exceptions) are now subject being two rix-dollars per commercial last on the burthen of the vessel. The annual average exports from the islands are as follows:6900 lbs. birds' feathers; 19,540 lispunds cod fish, salted and dried; 1180 tonde fresh oil; 2154 lispunds tallow; 77,635 woollen shirts;