Volume 181301

A general collection of voyages and travels, including the most interesting records of navigators and travellers, from the discovery of America by Columbus, in 1492, to the travels of Lord Valentia / [William Fordyce Mavor].

William Fordyce Mavor

Date:: 1813

Credit: A general collection of voyages and travels, including the most interesting records of navigators and travellers, from the discovery of America by Columbus, in 1492, to the travels of Lord Valentia / [William Fordyce Mavor]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$north commonly cold. But we must take into consi- deration, that the south wind in respect to our islanders biew over all Europe, in winter covered with snow ; and particularly over the northern part, where the cold is extreme: butthe north wind, sweeping an open sea, instead of cold brought exhalations, yet somewhat fresh in themselves, as they always bore along some snow with them :—most men will have noticed when: in harbour, that the land breeze is at all times colder than that from sea. What confirms this account is, tains or chain, called the Poias Semnoy, and which se-_ parates Russia in Europe from Siberia, give a similar and south winds. As for snow, such an astonishing quantity fell on this island, that their hat in winter was commonly en- tirely enclosed by it, so that they were left without any other means of getting out, than by an opening which they contriveu in the roof of their entry room. In reply to my inquiries respecting tempests, these sailcrs informed me, that they did not once hear it thunder during their residence on the island. If we except white bears, rein-deer, and foxes, which, as I have before noticed, were found in great plenty on the island, it is destitute of all four-footed animals, as well asofmen. It is true, some wild fowl] and other water fowl, Lhe sea likewise round. about the island is destitute of every kind of fish. Our sailors, in other respects very strict in their religion, contrary to the custom of this description of people, could not, therefore. observe either ‘the great or the Single fasts, Nay, had there unfortunare men could have derived no benefit from the circtimstance ; since, as they had neither tackle nor nets, they could not have canght them: the choice of \ a$