it round about but Ships are in no danger of it Towards the South East Bordoe stretcheth it self out into three branches or points so that they seem at Sea as several Islands and constitute too long Inletts whereof that which is most Eastward is called Arnefiord the other Baardevijgs from Baardevijg's Inlet there runs a little valley half a mile long to the North west side where there is a safe harbour called Klack From hence the Land stretcheth it self again to the North along Videroe a matter of six miles or less all these branches and arms are for the most part streightning on both sides into long and sharp points on the North West Bordoe embraceth again with two arms or branches another little Island called Kunoe Kunoe is a long and narrow Island about six miles in length and a good mile in breadth growing sharp on both sides consisting in a long sharp hill separated from Bordoe by a narrow straight in some places half a mile broad and in some others less stretching it self most to the South and North from Mule on Bordoe till the Harbour of Klack which it shuts up with its southerly end and renders it safe against all Currents of the Sea Kalsoe lyeth Westward oâ— Kunoe separated from it by an inlet called Calseefiord which is two miles broad and this Inlet is open from South to North so that all Ships may safely run through it especially when the Stream is with them Kalsoe is a little longer then Kunoe and a little broader stretching it self to the South and North without Haven or Creek on the West side it is a very steep promontory on the East side the hill is edged and runs sloping to the Sea side all coloured withgreen Osteroe lyeth West of Kalsoe and Bordoe stretching it self most Northward towards East it is almost twenty miles long but inequally broad for some places are two miles broad others four or six miles broad according as the points stretch themselves far out the Land consisting in many long branches or arms on the East side towards Kalsoe Bordoe and the main Sea it hath six long branches or arms that constitute five Inlets or Creeks namely Funding fiord Andâ—fiord an indifferent Harbour Englefiord a good Harbour Joteviig and Lammehauf viig afterward the Land stretcheth it self to the South East in a long point called Ostness from which neck three miles Northward begins again another inlet far in the Land two miles long called Skaalefiord at the beginning of the Inlet there is a good harbour called Kings haven because formerly when his Majesties Ships did Cruise here under the Land after Pirats they took Harbour there on the West side from South to North the Land is almost even without any Inlet or Creek and the inlet between Câ—lsoe and Osteroe is in some places but a mile and half broad and safe for Ships to sail through the North end of Osteroe is very notable for Senmen for it stretcheth out it self with a little round point to the North west with a round hill upon it Nolsoe lyeth two miles Southward of Osteroe or Ostres extending it self most N. W. to N. and S. E to S. it is 4 miles long and a mile and half broad where broadest having on its west side Stromoe at the distance of two miles and half There is almost on the midst of the Island a high Hill sloaping by little and little to the South side where the Island is even on the top and not very high North of the Hill there is a little plain and West of it towards Stromoe a little Harbour called Nolsoeviig an indifferent good Summer Harbour Stromoe is the largest Island in Feroe and 24 miles long and where it is broadest eight miles in breadth it lyeth West of Osteroe and Nelsoe stretching it self North west to North and South West to South being full of many high Hills amongst which Skelingsfels over goeth all the rest in height standing like a high house above the others it is very notable for Seamen that are bound for Thorshaven for when they get sight of it and sail there unto they fall before the Northern entrance of Thorshaven That Island hath also several Creeks and Harbours on the East side from the South end is first of all Thors-haven where the general Commerce is established it is a little but a good harbour whereunto there are two entrances over against North Nolsoe between Stang and Ostness and over against South Nolsoe between Baarn and Skadlehoffoed afterwards there is Kalbacksfford then Kollefiord next thereunto Thorsviig and Qualviig one cannot come further with Ships for on the North of Qualviig Stromoe and Osteroe are as it were bound together by a ground that is between the Islands over which runs a very rapid stream and there is no Current on either side of the ground From this stream it is that Stromoe is so called at North of Stromoe is Haldersviig an indifferent Harbour into which one enters on the North side on the north side there is a very fair Harbour called Westmans Haven which is sheltered by Waagoe lying over against it Waagoe lyeth West of Stromoe being divided from it by a straight called Westmans haven seund a mile and a half broad thorough which there is a safe passage The Land of Waagoe is almost of a Triangular or Quadrangular Figure being eight miles in Diameter it is cut in by two long Creeks first by one on the South East side called Midvaage a good Summer Harbour then at West there is another Creek called Sorvaage The Land it self is all full of Hills hard by the South point of Sorvaage there lyes two little Islands with high clifts on them called Tineholm and Gaaseholm Myggeness lyeth out at the West of Sorvaage two miles from the Land it is three miles long and one and a half broad having a high territory with high promontories round about it there being but one place to come on Land it stretcheth it self most to the North East and South West Towards the South West end of it lyeth Myggeness Isle having a high clift round about it is flat above though sloaping like the roof of a house on the North East side it is separated by a little Riff three or four furlongs broad Kolter lyeth three miles to the South-East of Waagoe and above two miles to the West of Stromoe it is a little Island a mile long and about half a mile broad stretching it self most to the South and North having a high Mountain at the North end but at the South end it is low and narrow having a high Promontory on the West side Eighteen years since in the middest of Summer there was found on the highest top of the Mountain of Kolter the quantity of many tomies of Herrings spread along The Mountain where the Herrings were found is above two hundred fathoms high The vulgar sort will perhaps ask how these Herrings could come there whereunto is answered that
stilleth it self so that the Inhabitants dare row out on Fishing There is nevertheless an extraordinary great motion every where at Sea so that sometimes they are as it were lifted up to the Heaven and presently come down as it were to the Abyssm as David saith Psal 127. which motion of the Sea they call Alda and certifie that when they are sunk in it they can see no land though it be above 300 Fathoms high As for the motion of Tides themselves they perfect their course according to the Moon here as well as in other places where there are ordinary tides by an ebb of six hours and a Flood of the like space of time Yet their course is different according as they beat against the Rocks and points of Land and as the ground is under them whence it comes that the particular streams alter their course and run directly against the general Tides such streams being called here Ider Concerning the general Currents here the Seaman that is not much acquainted with the Land may have this for information In the first place where the streams run even between the land there is a principal Current as between Suderoefiord Staapenfiord Kalsoefierd Skuofiord and Fugloefiord When the Current runneth here to the West it is called West-fall and when it runneth to the East East-fall but in Kalsoefiord the East-fall runneth Northward and the West-fall Southward because of the points of Land Secondly it doth not run with equall rapidity during the six hours but its course can be divided into three parts In the first third part it runneth prerty fast changing and augmenting its force more and more In the second third part it is very rapid and is here called Braaddew In the last third part it loseth its force by little and little till it comes to turn and then the stream is as it were half dead In the third place the Tide is not allways equally strong but it is strongest in the new and full Moon three days before and three days after losing after of its force till the first and last quarter and it renews its strength again from the first and last quarter till the new and full Moon though according to the Moons vertue it be neither always equally strong but in the Spring and Summer when the Sun acteth most on the earth so that the warmth reflecteth thence and in the Dog days when the air is hottest by reason of the heat of the Canicule it is stronger in every change of the Moon then it useth to be in Autum or Winter from which effect may doubtless be concluded that the Sun together with the Moon and the inward warmth of the Earth doth produce the motion of the Tides For the 4 th when the stream runneth in the Inlets at E. or when it is East-fall it is then West-fall by the land and in the Iders and so quite contrary so that when the Master of a Ship cannot advance his voyage in the middle of the Inlets he must seek his advantage by the Iders for they stretch themselves in some places a mile from the Land Fifthly the Tide beginneth that is the water riseth at West fall and when that is out and it is Braaddew it is Floud or highest water that is West-fall in all the principal streams of every Inlet but afterwards cometh the East-fall from the Land beginning thereby by little and little to grow low water but how high or low the water riseth or falleth in Feroe cannot be exactly described there being a great inequallity in it both by reason of the changes of the seasons of the year and of the Moon wherein the streams are strongest Notwithstanding the stream ariseth much higher at west of the Land then at East usually seven Fathoms at West and but three at East In the sixth place it is very needful for a Pilot to know when it is high water or West-fall in Feroe not that he might thereby run securely over Rocks and grounds for he hath no great need of that in Feroe but that he may know how the stream runneth and advance his voyage accordingly all Marriners having erred therein till this day even the Sea expert Hollanders who in their Sea Mirrour write that a South and North Moon maketh highest water in Feroe Those that have traded in this Country and in their Voyage have taken notice of the Tides have found it otherwise and believe quite contrary that an East and West Moon giveth highest water wherein they doe not much erre but I have enquired about this business of old understanding men who nevertheless take little notice of highest water nor know wherefore it is so observable but only note their West and East fall which they nevertheless only mark by Flood and low water not understanding what an East or West Moon signifieth and they say altogether that the second day after New or Full Moon it is perfect West-fall that is highest water at six of the Clock in the morning and East-fall or Low-water at twelve of the Clock at Noon whence an expert man can conclude that a North East Moon and a South West make highest water the first day the Moon beginneth to fill that is at five a Clock and fifteen minutes in the morning and then they have highest water or West fall in new or full Moon in Feroe a North East and a South West Moon making highest water in all the principal Streams above mentioned In the other particular Streams it is high water at different hours in some before and in some after the ordinary time for in Leerviigs-fiord an East North East and West South West Moon maketh highest water that is when it is four a Clock and a half in the Morning In Nolsoe fiord an North East and South West Moon that is at three a Clock and in Westmans haven and Myggenessfiorda North West and South East Moon that is at nine a Clock in the forenoon so that here is a strange difference in the rising of the water between these many Islands which cometh altogether by reason of the points of Land I dare not undertake to explicate the several Streams with their Iders there being often in one Inlet five different Currents that run against one another so that I verily believe if the Learned Philosopher Aristotle were here himself to undertake that work he would find no less difficulty therein then in his Euripe Nevertheless I cannot forbear writing something of the little stream between Stromoe and Osteroe which seemeth very strange Though that stream on both sides of the water be wholly still and dead and there be a very short way over the grounds between both Lands it runneth nevertheless forward and backward according to the ordinary Changes of the Moon so swiftly that it is impossible to row against it but one must expect till it returneth Whereof the cause is this There goeth neither Ebb nor Tide at South of the stream but at
in this Treatise and thereby gratifie the curious Reader Many seek far abroad the wonderful works of God either by reading or travelling in forreign and remote parts whereas we have them as admirable amongst us if they were right considered but as we care not for what we dayly see we think it therefore not worthy to be Communicated to others who would nevertheless esteem it rare and wonderful Whence it is come that none of those that have been before me in Feroe hath taken the pains to leave any thing in writing of the Quality and Constitution of that Country But being come thither a Stranger and remarking many effects of nature not usual in my own Country I would not live Idle without the examination and considering thereof endeavouring to doe my Countrymen that are not informed of this Lands Nature some small service by the Notification of what I have discovered I pray therefore and desire the Courteous Reader to take in good part this my Labour which I have destined to the Common good and if he find any thing imperfect expound it in the best meaning every one having his faults Thus live well and let me be included in thy favour From my Pathmos in Thors-haven the 12. of March 1670. THE CONTENTS CHAP. I. Of the Land of Feroe in it self and the Circumstances thereof Page 1. CHAP. II. Of the Lands Fertility p. 111 CHAP. III. Of the Waters Fertility p. 163 CHAP. IV. Of the Inhabitation of Feroe and of the Facts of the Inhabitants p. 190 CHAP. V. Of the Qualities of the Inhabitants p. 25 CHAP. VI. Of the Pâ—litie p. 277 CHAP. VII Of Religion and first of Teachers p. 325 Of the Hearers p. 336 Of the School p. 341 CHAP. VIII Of Specters and Illusions of Satan in Feroe p. 349 The MAPP of the LAND of FEROE containing XVII Inhabited ISLANDS CHAP. I. Of the Land of Feroe in it self and the Circumstances thereof THe Islands of Feroe in themselves are only some high rocks arising out of the wild Sea and covered with a portion of thin Earth For Feroe doth consist of many Islands that are high Hills of hard stone strangely divided from each other by deep and rapid streams of water And that the said Hills or Mountains might be useful to mankind and the Lords holy Name in this latter age of the world be prais'd by true Christians in the midst of the storming Sea it hath pleased the Divine Providence to cover the valley between the Mountains and the sides of the Hills almost every where with two foot thick of Earth somewhere thicker or thinner according to the nature of the place whence doth grow not only abundance of Grass for Cattel but also Corn for the maintenance of man Wherefore if the land as other even Countreys could be cultivated and inhabited many thousands of men proportionably to the greatness and number of the Islands might there live and subsist But the people dwell only by the Sea-side where it is lowest and most convenient for them to get to Sea with their Boats and ply their Fishing there being almost every where high promontories whence no body can come down nor get up though there be some dangerous and terrible places whence they also launch out their Boats to Sea to go a Fishing where they must have strong Ropes in the Boat that those on Land may sometimes help the people out if they are in any danger some also who are the most live in creeks inletts and havens that are many convenient and good for Seamen to lay in their Ships in time of danger And where they live they have inclosed a small piece of ground which they Till to get Grass and Corn calling such Closes Boe The other part without the inclosure consisting in Valleys and Hills and sometimes in hills only is a thousand times larger and is called Hawe where their Sheep feed both Winter and Summer and their Kine only in Summer This part is never Tilled neither can it be so because the Inhabitants live along the Sea side for their Fishing sake and other conveniency having nevertheless the full profit thereof for they keep there as many Sheep as ever the place can feed A part of the islands of Feroe is Inhabited and a part furnished with Cattel they are in their greatness Havens Creeks Inletts and other circumstances as followeth Fugloe or Fowle-Island which is the most North East is pretty high and something flat on the top with high Clifts almost round about three English miles long and two broad where it is broadest having a little Creek on the East side called Hatterviig though it be unfit for Ships to Anchor in Suinoe lyeth two miles southward of Fugloe consisting in two long and high Hills on the North and South side The South Mountain is about a Leage in length the North but about half a League there is a valley in the midst on the East side whereof the people do inhabit and by this reason the Island being seen something far off at Sea seems to be divided in two Islands The said valley is about a mile long from East to West and therefore the Inhabitants have Boats lying on the East and on the West sides that they according to the Wind may ply their Fishing on either side such Valleys as also other places where the passage over land from one water to another is but short are called in the Language of Feroe Eide whereof there are many to the great benefit of the Country Videcoe or Vidoe lyes three miles west of Fugloe and hath a mile from Suinoe being crooked and having also a Valley where the people dwell it is in length about six miles and where it is broadest about three miles The south end of it stretcheth it self down between Suinoe and Bondoe being full of high Hills at the North of the Valley there is a high promontory at the East there is a little Creek though not very good sor Ships to Anchor in Bordoe a strange Island being in its Figure like a Crab having many points like claws it lyeth South West and West of Videroe and Suinoe being separated from them by a small Sinus in some places half a mile broad there being a place near Qnandesund only of Musket shot distant on the North East and East side it embraceth Videroe as with two arms and thereby makes a safe harbour every where between both Lands against all manner of weather and current having three entrances one at North between Mulen and Videroe another at South between Suinoe and the most easterly east point of Bordoe and the third at east between Suinoe But since towards the South East or South outlet as also about the North East or East three points of Land streatch out themselves the one from Videroe the other from Bordoe and the third from Suinoe and the ground under water being uneven it makes an indifferent Whirle-pool that turns the Boats that pass over
they are carried thither by a whirlewind for the Sea it self when it is most boisterous seldome casts any Fish on Land but rather Seaward from the bottom for as little as strong wind can hinder the flight of Birds as little can the strongest motion of the Sea hinder the swimming of Fishes but if either wind or water grow too strong for their inhabitants as Birds hide themselves in trees holes and nests so the small Fishes that lie under the Land float on the deep to save themselves there as long as the storm lasts as is frequently seen in Feroe Wherefore those Herrings were carryed there on Land by a kind of Whirle wind called Typhon which in the Danish Tongue is named Oes That sort of Whirlewind is formed amongst the Clouds and strikes from thence on the Sea and Earth with such a sudden and mighty whirle that if it falleth on Land it takes up Trees Bushes Stones Flesh and what else it meets with and where buildings are too great it strikes them down and breaks them to pieces If it falleth on the Sea it takes up an incredible quantity of water so that one may see deep Cavities in the Sea till the water runs together again and what Fishes are then in that water are drawn up by such a whirlewind Marriners that have tryed the dangers of the deep can speak enough of this whirlewind and have first given it the name of Oes because it draws up the water of the Sea Expert Seamen when they are aware of it let presently fall all their Sails or else they would lose them and sometimes come in great danger of their lives What this Oes takes and draws up from one place it lets it fall on another when it hath wrought out and left its strength whence it comes that one seeth in some places rain down Stones Flesh Mice and particularly the Lemmings or Cats of Norway and in this manner are also these Herrings rained down on Kolter The Hurricane of the West Indies which is sufficiently known is doubtless of this sort of Wind. Sandoe lyeth two miles south of Stromoe and Hestoe stretching it self most to East and West it is eight miles long and four miles broad having but one Creek on the South side neer Sand neither is it a very good Haven At West towards the North point there is a little Isle called Troldhoffret edging off from the North East side to the South West with a high Promentory thereon feed wild Oxen and Sheep Skuoe lyeth two miles to the south of Sandoe stretching it self to the East and West being three miles long and one broad it is a high Land with high Clifts Store Diemen or great Dam liethhalf a mile at the Southeast of Skuoe it is almost round a good mile in Diameter it is a high Territory for the most part flat and green above with great Clifts round about If this Island were garrison'd with thirty warlike men it would not be easie for any Potentate to take it in there being no way to get up except in one place at East and that difficulty for one man at a time and therefore could easily be so strengthned by art that none at all could come up Neither could Ships lye on the Sea about the Island because of the strong current nor could they be taken by Famine there being Cattel Sheep and Fowle enough on the Island It hapned some years ago that the Countrymans Wife on that Island kept secret love with the serving man and they both murthered the Master VVherefore that they might avoid the punishment of the Magistrate they held out the Island a long time but the innocent being unwilling to keep such continual watch with the guilty and they at last being grown secure some nimble men of Feroe by the Bailiff of the Countrys order came on the Island by the East side and took the Delinquents Prisoners who afterwards received their just punishment Lille Diemen lyeth two miles from Store Diemen at South South East it is inhabited and to be accounted for an Isle it ariseth from the Sea as a round and sharp Clift thereon feed wild Sheep Suderoe is the last and Southest Island lying two miles south of Lille Diemen It is almost twenty miles long and eight miles broad where it is broadest bowing with one end to the South the other end stretching it self to the Northwest it is full of Hills having on the VVest side many Clifts neither can one land on it but in four places and yet with difficulty At East it hath four long Creeks namely on the North end Qâ—ailviig neer the close second Qualboe whence a Valley stretcheth it self on the VVest side a mile long then Trungesvaag within which Inlet is a very good little harbour called Punthaven besides which between a little Isle and the Land one may fasten Ships with a Rope and go from Shipboard to Land on a Planck There is besides every where in the Inlet good Harbouring in Summer Finally here is also Vaagesfiord whence there runneth also a Valley a mile long on the Southside In that Inlet there is a bowed Creek where there is one of the best Havens in Feroe called Lebroe It appeareth by the premises that Feroe doth consist of seventeen inhabited and Cultivated Islands namely Fugloe Suinoe Wideroe Bordoe Kunoe Kalsoe Osteroe Nolsoe Stromoe Waagoe Myggeness Kolter Hestoe Sandoe Skuoe Store Diemen and Suderoe and four little Isles or Holms to wit Tintholm Myggenessholm Trolehofred and Lille Diemen whereon only Pasture VVild-Sheep Besides here are several other Holmes whereof the most notable and necessary to be known of Marriners are these Hossvigsholm Kirckboeholm and Comboeholm There are also under the Land several Rocks arising out of the Sea whereof two are considerable for Marriners to know the Land by the one at North of Fugloe called the Bishop which is a round and pretty high Rock it doth not lye so far from the Land as it is set in the Map but only a stone cast or a Musquet shot off The other is at the South of the Land a pretty way at South East of Sumboe it is also a round high Rock called the Monck Neer this Monck is a dangerous whirlepoole which in still weather draweth Ships to it self and brings them in great peril for the waves strike every where into the Ship nay in the very Mast and the Ship cannot be steered but one must let it drive as the stream will have it till it be appeased It is most dangerous in still weather for then one cannot easily get from thence with a Gale of VVind one may take a care not to come into it Jautoe which Mr Peter Claason speaketh of in his book called a Description of Norway is not extant but is only an inclosure called Gote and is twofold namely North Gote and South Gote Neither is he to be blamed for it since he hath written with others pen and seen with others eyes It
is related by a part of the Inhabitants that North of the Land there hath at several times appeared a Floating Island not only by the relation of our Predecessours but also by that of those that yet live who verily relate that they have seen it during some hours discerning hills and dales on it and running Rivers flowing through the Valleys and could perspicuously fee that it was green in the Valleys below Last year the 28 of April 1671 came to Feroe a Skipper Paul Badsted with his Ship and both he and two young Priests which he brought over with him to Feroe namely Mr. Gregory Peterson and Mr. Peter Clementson relate that they on their voyage to Feroe being by storm driven out of their course to the south thereof perceived an Island and being come neer to it saw it perfectly with the Hills Promontories and Rivers thereof running down the Island green with Grass towards the sea side with Rocks and Clifts neer the Land not unlike in all Circumstances to the Islands of Feroe but perceiving no other Islands by it they found themselves to be deceived and therefore made to the North and after some sailing found the Islands of Feroe and the Master related that according to his conjecture they had found that Land eleven Leagues from Feroe at south east If there had been any steady Island in that place it would have been found longago those that sail to this Island often sailing by that place and all Ships that come from the South and will go to the North of heâ—Heâ—land directing always their Course to Feroe and therefore do necessarily pass by it so that if that Island had been fast it would long since have been discovered The Island of Enckhupson found and so named by the Hollanders which lay under the 65 degree of Northern Latitude 45 Leagues North VVest of Feroe seems to confirm that opinion since it is no more to be found I leave herein every one in his own opinion whether such a mass of hard Rocks could Float and now again sink If it were of the nature of a Pumill Stone it might very well do so but then it would ever Float as Floating Islands in fresh water that are grown together with roots and covered with a little loose Eearth deckt with grass The Inhabitants besides rehearse a Fable of Suinoe that it was at first a Floating Island and believe that if one could come to the Island so often seen and cast Steel thereon it would remain fast which agreeth with the superstition of Duckers or Divers that lay Steel upon what they find at the bottom of the Sea that Spirits may not remove it when they are hoysed up which otherwise they find to be removed Many also tell much of these Floating Islands and believe there are such in Nature but I cannot give faith to any of them nor to any ones superstition If this were not described by the proprieties of many Islands I would say it were a Mountain of see that came Floating from Greenland which if it be not I believe stedfastly it is some deception or illusion of the Devil who is in himself a thousand fold Artisicer for he hath often before deluded them in many other manners it being almost every mans talk in the Land how formerly Satan in the dark when they were risen early in the morning in Winter as they yet always do to go a Fishing did appear to them in the Figure of a Boat with Fishermen and all instruments belonging to Fishing did speak with them gave them Fish baits and told them where there was good Fishing to be found and many can yet relate Satans words when he discover'd them where there was good ground for Fishing If Satan could then in the Figure of a Boat delude the Inhabitants he may also do it now in the Figure of an Island possibly to allure the Children of the unbelievers to him and bring them into mischief This Province of Feroe with the Islands belonging to it above named stretcheth it self in its greatest length from North to South 60 miles and in breadth 40 miles or a little above having at East Stat in Norway at South East Orkeney and Scotland at South Ireland at West the South end of Greenland at North West Island The height of the Pole or Latitude of Feroe according to the supputation of all is at the South end 61 degrees 15 m. and at the North end 62 degrees 10 m. though I have found the Land according to the height of Thors Haven at 62 degrees 2 m. which I have several times taken to lye something more Northwards I have as much as possible sought the Longitude and have found the length from the Meridian of Euraniburgh 20 degrees 20 min. which makes one hour 21 min. so that the Longitude of Thors Haven is 16 degrees 20 min. reckoning from the Pico of Teneriffe in the Canary Islands if I can discover it better in time I shall notifie it where it will be convenient And since the Land lyeth under 62 degrees there is but little night in Summer not fully 5 hours When the Sun is in the Sign of Cancer there is no night perceived for a whole month because the Sun doth not go 18 degrees under the Horizon whence it comes that in the middest of VVinter they have but little day though the Crepusculum and Diluculum are something more longer here then elsewhere especially when the Sun is in the South or Northerly Signs for when it is at highest and makes the longest day after 62 degrees Latitude it riseth at 2 of the Clock and 7 minutes and goeth down at 9 of the clock and 53 m. and then the day is 19 hours and 46 min. long and the night from Sun-setting untill it riseth 4 hours and 14 minutes during which time there is no difference to be perceived between day and night the Sun being then but 4 degrees 29 min. under the Horizon and cannot therefore make any difference for a whole month there being then also but little difference in the Suns declination whence it comes that we have no considerable might untill the 17th of August when the Sun first comes 18 degrees under the Horizon which is its right depth so that one can perceive nothing of its splendour Now the Sun rising in the mid'st of VVinter at 9 of the Clock 53 min. and setting at 2 a Clock and 7 m. and there being therefore but 4 hours and 14 minutes of day The Crepusculum and Diluculum add much to its length since one can perceive something of the day in the mid'st of VVinter at 8 a clock in the morning and at 4 a clock at night whence it comes that they have not in Feroe such tedious long nights as one might well imagine These Islands of Feroe consisting of a hard Stone there is found here and there a Loadstone therein on which if one setteth a Compass it will vary very much in
beats the harder upon such ground as ariseth within Botthen which is perceived likewise in the streight near the Isle of Alland where because the grounds lye shallow here is heard a terrible noise which Mr. Herbinius affirms in his Dissertation to have himself experimented believing not before that such things were in nature As Whirle pools have hitherto given much to think to many so streight Currents have not busied the thoughts of a lesser number to explicate fundamentally their true cause ground and manner and though they did invent some causes they have not yet found the true Form and Modell My intention is not to set up my self against such eminent Philosophers but only to write down what I have experimented and discerned in nature if I can thereby bring any light to natural History I hope it will not displease the Ingenious Reader First here is set down the inward cause namely the secret Magnetick Sympathetical and Antipathetical vertue proved and explicated above by which Nature worketh between the Elements and bringeth them into moâ—ion Secondly there are found two other active external causes the one is the inward warmth of the Earth the other the heat of the Sun and Stars The warmth of the Earth is not as some wrongfully think a subterranean fire for then the Sea should be most moved near Island Italy and Sâ—icily since there are seen visible signs of it near them namely burning fires in the Mountains of Hecla Vesuvio and Aetna But there is a natural warmth in the Earth by vertue whereof Grass Herbs and Trees have their growing motion which â—s proved by this that the Sea hath principally in the Spring in March and April its chiefest motion and greatest Ebb and Floud in Feroe when warmth gets the upper hand and the Earth openeth it self for Plants to break out of it which motion with its Ebb and Floud doth not come as Cartesius supposeth from the the Earths Conjunction with the Moon in the Collure of the Solstice The Earth being removed under the Eqnator or the Line and the Moon under the Ecliptick meeting together in Aries and in Libra where the Aequator divideth the Zodiack and therefore the Sea and Stream are strongest in the Spring and in Autumn We will not enter here into the dispute about the motion of the Earth but only say against it that if it were so the Flouds should be greatest and the Streams most rapid both in the Spring and Autumn as Cortesius himself affirmeth though notwithstanding Ebb and Floud is greatest in the Spring and almost least of all in Autumn as is known to all the Inhabitants of Feroe besides which it would also follow that in Summer when the Moon and the Sun are in Cancer or in Winter when they are in Capricorn or in the Collure of the Solsticies the floods should be least and the streams weakest whereas in the middest of Summer the Floud is found to be greatest and the stream almost strongest one may therefore reasonably attribute it to the cause which hath then most force namely the warmth of Earth which then ascends and produceth its vertue Reason might well perswade it to be impossible that such a great and deep water should be altered thereby such a warmth being very moderate my reason would also dictate to me the same if the Magnetical Sympathy whereby this warmth is so qualified in the Water were not in nature There is neither but a mean warmth in a mans stomach which when it is hottest of all cannot be compared with the heat of fire yet in a short time it Cooks and Digests Meat to such an alteration by its natural vertue that the greatest fire could not do the like with any meat in a Kettle or boyling Pot. It is also proved that the heat of the Sun and Stars moveth the Water by this that when the warmth of the Earth is ascended in Plants and there is Rain and Cold Weather the Stream is then moderate but when the Sun shineth hot and it is Calm weather not only the Water is moved and the Boffves break out as is said before but the streams also are then very rapid and the Ebb and Floud higher then ordinary specially during the Dogdays when the Canicule together with the Sun are hottest but when the Dogdays are past and the Sun advanceth to the South the force of the Streams is weakned more and more untill Winter during which season it is but half as strong as in summer Besides this there is an other extraordinary cause of the increase of the waters motion in Winter which iâ— the hardness of the frost and having spoken of it above the Reader is referr'd thereunto God having thus created nature the Sea in the beginning was brought into a motion which will last as long as the world doth exist The form or manner of this Ebb and Floud hath most of all perplexed Philosophers every one having invented an Hypothesis to Explicate it God is wonderful in all his works and what seems hardest and difficultest of all to our understanding is often most plain and easie so this wonderful augmentation and diminution of the water doth consist in a meer motion to and fro between the Continents from East to West and from West to East and that in great waves as will be proved by the following arguments First the whole may be known by its parts seeing that the drops of water are of a round figure one may conclude that water is round Likewise as one seeth the Superficies of the water to be moved by the wind into waves one may also assuredly conclude that the motion of the great Ocean is made in Wayes so the Boffves whether it be by heat or cold forming themselves into waves the larger Sea doth the like also Secondly this is proved by experience in Nature Those of Feroe by this experience call this manner of Ebb and Floud East and West-fall East-fall is that which with its waves falleth on the East of Norway West-fall is when the Sea is moved and falleth back with its waves to the VVest part of Greenland The East-fall giveth in Feroe Ebb or lowest water falling to the East of Norway and making there highest water West-fall maketh highest water or Floud in Feroe because when the Floud falleth back from the West of Norway the Waves rise and form themselves higher and higher against Feroe according to the nature of Waves which is plainly proved by this that at East of Feroe the Water riseth but three Fathoms and at West seven Fathoms the distance whereof is but forty miles in Longitude Yea one may easily perceive the Sea to arise higher at West of Suderoe then at East though the Land where it is broadest be not above eight miles broad On the contrary Galilaeus Galilaei teacheth that it is the nature of water to lift up it self towards its extremities and run Horizontally between the Latitude whereunto it is answered that when
the water hath its own motion without resistance it floweth Horizontally without waves as through Conduits but when there is a resistance on both sides the bottom is uneven and there is no outlet the one part by its perpetual motion driving the other it must needs according to the supposition of Kircherus arise and fall in waves wherefore if it were as Galilaeo believeth either there would never be Ebb or Floud in Feroe in the Flemish Islands or the Islands of Cape Verde which both lye in the mid'st of large Seas where the Ocean should flow Horizontally or else both West-fall and East-fall should make there Ebb and Floud which never happeneth in Nature Ebb and Floud consist therefore without doubt and certainly in the motion of the Sea like that of waves to and fro from one Continent to another or in the fall where the one wave falleth upon the other driving one another against the Land Now since the ground ariseth toward the Land and the waves lift and cast themselves over it that must needs naturally cause the increase of the water towards the Land whence it happeneth that East-fall maketh highest water under Norway from the North Cape to Bergen where the Sea hath a free course as likewise to the west of Scotland and England except it be that Ireland lye in the way As also to the west of Ireland France and all Africa untill the Cape of good Hope contrarywise VVest-fall giveth highest water under all the East Coast of America and on the other west side thereof until Mare del Zuz And on the contrary VVest fall maketh high VVater in Mare del Zuz under the East point of Tartary and China In the mean time sometimes VVest-fall and sometimes East fall maketh high water about the Islands which are spread abroad in the Ocean and in the still Sea according as the difference of their Meridian is and the Seas motion doth augment its waves For Example when the Sea falleth west on Feroe the waves of the Sea fall then highest thereon and therefore VVest-fall maketh highest water Quite contrary when they fall back again on the East the waves have their cavities turned towards Feroe and therefore East-fall giveth there lowest water It is certainly true that as God hath created all things according to weight measure and number a certain wave falling at the west of Feroe in its retiring Nature hath equalized these waves in certain number thickness and length never to be altered according to the distance that is between the Continents and they are moved in such an unalterable perfection that neither the strongest contrary wind can hinder their course or fall nor a fore wind procure that they should come sooner or later the reason is that the wind moveth but the uppermost superficie but cannot move the deep Abyss thereof VVhence it cometh that when the great waves fall on upon the ground of Feroe and the water must thrust it self over the grounds between the Islands as through a â—â—â—ce and when there cometh a strong Storm against the Tide which cou d well move the water from the bottome in the same place where it seems that the course of the stream might be hindered it can nevertheless not happen so the force of the next wave coming from the main deep beating after it and the greatest driving the least the wind not being able to hinder the cause can neither hinder the effect of it yet none of them being willing to yeild they strive against one another with such fury storm and roaring of the Sea that it cannot be expressed with a pen and when the Tide falls back in its time the waves grow quiet and the wind appeaseth it self as two mighty Enemies that can win nothing on each other do at last agree lay down their weapons and walk the same way together But as a great wind cannot hinder neither cana fore-wind further the course of the streams because of the great wave that goeth before at the bottome of the deep which cannot be driven further then its natural course doth require after which the stream that is driven by the wind must needs regulate it self all what a fore-wind can doe is only that what water it driveth afore it self from the Superficie may serve to increase the flood whence cometh flood water that breaketh over Banks and endamageth many places though from this generality particular streams must be excepted For a further proof of this former explication it were to be wished that one had or could get an exact description of the West Coast along Europe and Africa and on the other side the whole East Coast of America and afterwards in the still Sea all the west Coast of America and East Coast of Asia as far as it lyeth open to the Sea when it is highest water at the points and in the Bayes how high the water riseth and falleth in every place and what is their Longitude As also that one could get these three Points dilligently observed about the Islands over the whole world or as far as might be which if it could be performed one could plainly see and perceive that this demonstration is so in nature yea one could also find how big and long every wave is formed None ought to doubt of it because such waves are not perceived by Marriners for as little as they can discern the motion of the water in the Main Sea as little can they perceive the waves rising or fall For the difference in forty miles in Feroe being but four Fathoms of the waves rising how could it be observed by Sailers Neither can it be discern'd any where but about such Islands at Sea and having been undiscovered and untry'd hitherto the wit of many hath invented several Hypothesis which are not in nature Much less ought any one to suffer himself to be seduced by particulars which are all irregular and much of what is written thereof upon the relation of others erronious Thus the Hollanders have err'd in describing the Currents of Feroe after the declaration of Marriners in the same manner Kircherus after the Description of Olaus Magnus and the relation of Seamen also the stream of Moskoe whereupon he hath grounded a great absurdity to explicate the nature of Ebb and Floud which hath made Mr. Herbinius in his publick disputation to err so much that all his suppositions fall of themselves But all particulars are explain'd when universals in their true grounds are right understood and the Inlets and Points diligently observed For an example we will take the stream under the the Low Countries in the North Sea Catigate and the East Sea according to our general demonstration we find the Ocean to fall and run into the Channel with the great waves of its motion by an East-fall as also to both sides thereof of France and England afterwards it fills all the Inlets and Harbours of the Coast of all Netherland thence the stream is
divided into two parts or branches whereof the one runneth Northward between England and Norway and on both sides fills up all their Havens The other runneth towards the East between Norway and Jutland towards Sweden and endeth there its working running back again six hours after from thence to the Channel joyning it self to the general motion of the Ocean at the West of America where then it maketh highest water about this particular Stream and its Ebb and Floud are these following points to be considered First that it is caused by the general motion of the Ocean and therefore the noting of the time thereof cannot contribute to the explanatioâ— of this Phaenomenon but the time oâ— the floud without the Channel ought only to be considered and from thence learn the motion of the Ocean all what is within turning it self according to the ends and points of Land by a meer Flux and re-flux as the Ocean falleth sometimes on the East and sometimes on the west part thereof Secondly it is observed that on the East side of England and Scotland as also over against it under Norway there cannot be a strong Current nor great Ebb and Flood by reason that the wave which the Ocean drives into the Channel is diminished by the many Inlets and Havens that are at the south end of England and in the reach of Land between high Sand to the Elbe and the stream running afterwards partly Northward and the North Sea between England and Norway not being perfectly moved because of its narrowness here and there at East and West that little stream according to its proportion filleth both sides whence it comes that one perceiveth no great stream in Norway till one cometh pretty well North where the Ocean â—loweth without hinderance and it is even so under the remote part of Norway and other neighbouring places In the third place it is to be doubted whether this Flood and Stream which comes in through the Channel and runneth against Gottenborough runneth not through the Catigate into the East Sea and maketh there an ordinary stream of Ebb and Floud in six hours as in the Ocean Our Herbinius denyeth the East Sea all this and for ought I could learn of our Seamen they are almost all in the same opinion not knowing any other thing of a Stream there then what a constant Wind can cause either out or in through the Sound Nevertheless the Stream which comes from the Channel runneth into the East Sea and out again though inperceptibly and all the East Sea though it cannot easily be observ'd hath its ordinary ebb and sâ—oud which is not only proved by the stream of Botthen above mentioned but can also be easily perceived by the little Current running between Faâ—ster and Zealand which orderly runneth East and West absolving its Ebb and Floud in six hours as I have newly been informed and have experimented we have also the like examples in Feroe at North of Nolsoe Stream between Stromoe and Osteroe there is no stream perceived neither ebb nor floud that can be discerned because of the depth of the ground though it be there nevertheless as is proved by the strong stream at North of Stromoe in the streight between the Islands over the high grounds described and explained above which hath its course with the Stream of Nolsoes Inlet The third proof of the manner in which ebb and floud is effected depends of the Moon which God hath created as an assistant to the motion of the Sea in exercising two offices by helping the motion thereof and by directing it That the Moon contributeth to its motion is plainly seen because the stream is in general during the whoâ—e year according to the propriety of every season strongest and ebb and floud greatest in New and Full Moon increasing and diminishing according as the Moon increaseth or diminisheth its light wherefore such a thing happeneth I humbly conceive to be this warmth being a principal cause to the motion of water in general and the Moon being of a cold and moist nature when the same receiveth its light from the Sun it groweth warm thereby and by this warmth moveth the water Now since it is most warm when it is in Conjunction or Opposition with the Sun because then it darts its beams directly upon the Moon The Moon is then therefore most able to move the water when it is New or at Full. Now the Moon generally retiring every day from the beginning of the New Moon twelve degrees from the Sun or coming every day after full Moon twelve degrees nearer it so as it retireth or cometh nearer the Sun it shooteth its beams awry on the Moon and the more byassing the Suns light is distributed the less warmth doth the Moon receive and therefore moveth the Sea as its warmth diminisheth or is increased and therefore the motion of the Sea with its floud and ebb is greatest not only when it is new or full Moon but also three days before and after and is least when the Moon is in the Quadrate or first and last quarter but because the Moon being in the Perigeum or in Conjunction with the Sun is then nearer both Sun and Earth it seemeth then to have the greatest warmth of the Sun and to be able to exercise its overture on the Sea better then when it is in the Apogeum furthest from the Sun and Earth in its opposition or filling The operation of the Moon is nevertheless equal both when it beginneth to be new and when it is filled for the Moon having greater warmth and force at new Moon it is thought to act by reflecting its light towards the Sun the dark and cola part being turned to the Earth yet having less warmth and force when it is full it can nevertheless more conveniently and better pour down what it hath on the Sea by turning its splendid aspect directly upon it But it is very remarkable that two or three days after the beginning of the new or full Moon the Stream increaseth at Floud and doth not diminish which seems to contradict and destroy our demonstration whereunto we must seek another cause then the Moon which in my opinion is this whatsoever is heavy and is brought into motion by some violent force doth not straight ways diminish its said motion when the cause hath lost its force but rather augments it it is even so in this case The Moon hath some difficulty to augment the course of the stream when it is weakest in its first and last quarter but when it is grown rapid in new and full Moon it cannot so still it self again but increaseth naturally specially the Mover having lost in two days time something of its force This is plainly seen in the Sea for when it hath been moved by a great Storm it is more unquiet the next day when the storm is appeased then it was whilest it lasted for then cometh that terrible Alde which we have described
promontories height and hinderance of the Airs free passage happened that the Priest coming that way towards Sumboe Horse there came a strong Whirlewind that took away the Priest and Horse together and carried him beyond the edge of the Promontory and another whirlewind coming directly against it threw him again on the Land without any hurt Though this seems incredible to many it is nevertheless told for a truth by many worthy of belief I have my self been at and visited the place according to the Scituation whereof it seems that it might naturally happen a stronger whirlwind having overcome that coming from the Land it may then according to the nature of a whirlewind have driven both the weaker wind and the man to Land again which I do not only grant might naturally be but believe also that God by his Omnipotency and the Protection of his Angels hath contributed thereunto others may believe hereof what best pleaseth them Otherwise the ordinary winds that blow here are for the most part West and South West specially in the Spring and Harvest these Winds being very moist and it happeneth usually that on the side of the Land where the wind bloweth there is Rain and bad weather whilest on the other side it is fair and clear which cometh by reason of the Lands great height Here being no very hot Summer neither is there any thunder heard during that season but only in Winter when there is a great Storm and there falleth Rain which is the more terrible all being then turbulent By reason of the Premises there flowing almost by every mans house a running stream washing away all impurities that might infect the air and the salt vapour of the Sea keeping it from corruption as salt keepeth bodies from rotting and though finally some poisenous vapours might ascend into it it is nevertheless continually cleansed by the perpetual Strong Wind and Thunder that happeneth usually in Autumn Winter and Spring there is usually in Feroe a wholesome Air free from Pestilence Infection and Contagious Diseases which do never range here except they be brought in by other sick people Neither are any here troubled with Agues but it is experimented that they who had it and could not be quit of it in other places by the use of Medicaments have been freed of it coming hither by the Lands nature without using any other Medicine whence it comes that the people live longer here then usually in other places Neither are children here plagued with the Small Pox as else where this sickness not being known here except it be brought from Forreign parts and then here is seen a great misery Men and Women Children and Servants old and young lying then at once in bed of that sickness so that none of them can help the other and the Sound shunning the Infected as death it self In the Year 1651. when I arrived first into this Countrey there came a young man the same Summer from Denmark to Thors-Haven who had been sick of the Small Pox and had brought along with him the Shirt he lay in unwashed which he gave a Woman to wash that was straight ways infected by the damp of the said Shirt and by her again others that did not know the Disease at first wherefore when I came to that place there was a great calamity almost every one both old and young lying a bed of the Small Pox it being a great misery not only by reason of the Disease it self that took away old and young but also because the Sound shunned the sick and refused to bury the dead the Peasants durst not come to Thors-Haven to buy their necessaries and though they all so much shunned the sickness they were nevertheless Infected with it till it had spread it self over the whoâ—e Countrey even over Suderoe that lyeth most out of the way Though the Air as aforesaid be wholesome the land nevertheless is not therefore free from Sickness but this Country as well as other hath its particular Diseases for the air being first cold and moist whereby Flegme is dayly augmented the Inhabitants are almost all troubled twice a year with a strong Rhume which they call Kriim in the Spring and after Harvest for it falleth at once on the Nose and Lungs with a strong Cough and Spitting head ach and pain in the Limbs so that many must lye a long time in bed and some dye of it Against this Sickness they drink sower Whey as hot as they can suffer it but this sickness is a wholesome Sickness to them for nature in its fittest time doth purge the body of all impurity contracted by the cold moisture of the Air which might otherwise cause many and great Diseases Secondly of this cold moisture is caused though not every year a hot sickness called Landfarsoett because it bareth over the Land not unlike to the hot Sickness which Souldiers are taken with in cold and moist Leaguers in Winter for that disease is very hot with accute pain of the Head and Distractions with Flux of the Belly in Summer and doth not cease till it hath consumed the very Marrow of the Bones but they dye thereof Though the greatest part are Healed by the Providence of God having no other Remedy against it In the third place this cold and moist Temperature together with their dwelling on the Sea side causeth especially in Flegmatick Folks that do not much stir themselves this dangerous Sickness the Scurvy that sort of people not being here able to preserve themselves easily from it they Cure themselves usually with new Milk wherein hath boiled Scurvy-grass and many with new Milk alone For the Fourth the said Aire giving the Scurvy to some causeth also in some few according to their Complexion and Dyet that Incurable Disease the Leprosie for Scorbutus and Lepra according to the opinion of Physicians being as Brother and Sister it followeth that they have either a Father or Mother together Of which Leprosie and its Causes and Quallities we will make further mention in a fitter place CHAP. II. Of the Lands Fertility OTher Countryes are justly esteemed for their great riches namely several Mettals Minerals Pretious Stones Pearles Wine and Corn but God and Nature have denyed all this to these Islands here might possibly be found some Copper and Iron Mines which might be concluded by reason of some small Rivolets running down the Hills in Summer which are found to grow Green in dry weather as Verdigrease but I dare not undertake to affirm any thing about it amongst Mineralls here is found Talke in the North Islands but in very little quantity I have found here two sorts of Salt-Peter stones whereof Salt-Peter can be prepared though not in great quantity On the Sand near the Sea-side there are found in some places a kind of Pellucide-stones so hard that one can Write on Glass with them they are white or of a blewish white calour some of them yellow some of them are so