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-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
being hollow veines in many places of the Earth and Rocks the water doth run through them and those Conduits being narrow the Sea lyeth heavy thereon and presseth them so that the lesser water must needs rise above and seek a way to get out where it can find it whence come Springs and Fountains Thus far Scaliger Out of this meaning of Scaliger the Ingenious Reader can easily perceive that there are many trooked Veines or Conduits under the Earth and Rocks but yet it doth not follow that they cause or help the ascent of the Water for it cannot ascend directly up as we see it doth not through a hollow Post By the help of nature and art Archimedes invented a screw to make Water ascend from the place where it lyeth still which Screw was a hollow Leaden Pipe that was twined about a round and long staffe in the manner of a Screw but it was to be turned about and so the water was screwed up such are not naturally found in the Earth and though there be no such crooked Conduits in the Earth the water can nevertheless ascend from the lowest part of the Earth to the highest top of the Mountains as shall be demonstrated hereafter Besides it is to be noted that the water of the Sea doth not throng or press up the water of the Fountains because it is more abundant or heavier then the water that is in the veines of the Earth for if one layeth a horn on the back so that both ends are equally high Horizontally and one filleth it full of water though there be then much more in the thicker end then in the smaller which it seems by reason of its gravity should endeavour to seek the bottome of the Horn and so drive out the lesser water it cannot nevertheless do so for the greater water cannot drive the lesser higher up then it self lyeth high whence it followeth that the water of the Sea is as high yea higher then the highest Mountain on whose top there springeth Fountain water which must be proved All Mathematicians do truly affirm that Earth and Water make a round Globe together as it may be perceived by the Eclipse of the Moon when the Earth lyeth between it and the Sun for what is then darkened is round because the interposed Earth is of a round Figure That Water is absolutely round as the Earth is proved by the custome of Seamen who when they will discover Land climb up to the Main mast whence they can discover it when no body else can see it in the Ship the cause whereof is the roundness of the Water for if it were flat they could as well see the Land below in the Ship as above on the Mast Finally the whole is like its parts and therefore if a drop let fall on a Table or on a Cloth formeth it self round the whole Mass or body thereof must have the same nature and propriety That Fundament being firm and without contradiction the wide Sea can soon mount in the roundness of its figure higher then any Mountain on Land is high And therefore naturally according to the aforesaid nature of Water can easily weigh up and press the lesser water through the Conduits of the Earth though they be not crooked and that as high as the Sea is in its highest Superficie which is demonstrated by the following Figure Let this round Figure be the whole Globe consisting of Water and Earth let D. E. and F. G. and H. I. be three parts of the Land and the space between water Let A. be here the highest Superficies or uppermost part of the water let K. L. be a Spring on the high Mountain D. K. L. now water presseth on its highest near A. down towards the Center C. through which it cannot come to the lowermost Superficie and therefore seeks a passage through the earth and amongst many let there be a veine near M. running up either straight or crooked from M. to I. K. as may be seen in the Figure which it can easily do till B. lying first Horizontally with A. but the Sea cannot drive up the least drop thereof to N because it is higher then A The Water therefore runneth thus from K. down the Mountain over the Plain near L. and thence into the Sea by O. which it will do as long as the World lasteth and since the perpendicular of the Mountain I. K. is a third part of the length of the earth semidiameter C I. which alter the supputation of Astronomers is 859 Leagues so the Mountain is high perpendicularly 286 Leagues no Mountain being so high no not Mount Olympus that is esteemed the highest in the World And this supposition sheweth the rising of the Sea in the motion of its waves expounded pag. 64. for if there be so great a difference of Floud in the space of ten Leagues what difference is there then in hundreds of Leagues This Demonstration is confirmed by a rare example of a water in Feroe for there is on Suderoe towards the South near a little Village called Famoien a little Lake pretty high on the Mountain that hath ordinary Ebb and Floud with the Sea but it hath doubtless larger Conduits then other veines of water through which it can easier rise and fall so that this example is a singular proof of the demoustration aforesaid for if that Lake had Ebd and Floud immediately of it self other fresh waters that lye still would also have the same nature but if this happens mediately by reason of the motion of the Sea it followeth that fresh water ascendeth from thence That there runneth salt water in the Conduits of the Earth and cometh out again fresh is by this reason since all Mettals and Minerâ—ls as Chymists prove clearly are produced of Salt and the Earth hath its fatness of the same they draw then the Salt from the Water for their maintenance and nourishment as the flesh draweth from the blood in the veines of a mans body that whereof the body hath its increase and fatness And wheresoever there are Mettals and Minerals in the Earth the Water Attracts their qualities and is tinged according to their nature whence doth proceed several healing waters that Earth draweth Salt to it self is proved by an Artificial Experiment for if one will bind a piece of linnen Cloth over the one end of a bottomless Cask and fill the Cask full of Earth pouring on the earth a quantity of Salt water and letting it sink through the Earth two or three times the Water at last will come out fresh the Earth having drawn to its self the Salt thereof If any would conclude fresh Springs to come of rain water because when it raineth there runneth out more water at the Spring then when it hath been a long time dry weather the Spring being then drained and producing no water It is answered thereunto that rain cannot be the cause of Spring water on Feroe the Land consisting in hard
North the water riseth and falleth though there be no stream therefore when the Tide comes the water runneth over to the South Sinus and when it falleth again it runneth over the grounds from the South into the North yet no stream can be perceived because the Inlet groweth wider on both sides and is deep in it self even as in the Main Sea Before Feroe no stream is discerned though there be some as every where in the world but when it comes to the Islands the free slow course of it is hindered and therefore it is forced by the narrow Streights between the Islands to thrust it self between the Lands as a River would do through a Sluce Besides these several Streams there are also some other that turn round about which they call Male Stromme or Whirle-pool whereof there are many that have been known hitherto and are of all esteemed to be Sea-Abyssms which errour cometh because none could Sound their bottoms by reason of the danger attending it they drawing to themselves all that cometh near them whirle it to the bottome and after a certain time cast it up again There are in Feroe three such Whirle-pools the one between Videroe Suinoe and Bordoe not very dangerous the other at South of Sandoe by Daâ—es Cliffts called the Mill dangerous when there is a storm or a strong stream The third at South of Suderoe running about Sumboe Munk very dangerous The cause of these Whirle pools is not that there is a bottomless Abysm at the bottom of the Sea wherein the water should run when it is Ebb and Flow out again when it is Tide so that this should cause Ebb and Flood according to the opinion of some for if it was so it would not rage so much the stillest water having the deepest bottome but it proceeds from round grounds with Channels or Conduits in them I have dilligently inquired about these Whirle-pools of the two Deputies sent with me from Feroe to Denmark humbly to represent the general necessities of the Country and one of them named John Jonason dwelling on Suderoe told me that he had been the first that durst undertake to row over the VVhirle pool that lyeth South of Suderoe about Sumboe Munk whereof he spoke with certain and long experience First this Stream is very terrible and dangerous of it self especially when there is a Storm and a strong Current it draweth to it self all that comes too near it and as it were swallows it up so that a Ship cannot save her self nor avoid it if she approacheth it too near For a few years ago the said John Jonason saw about Christmas Tide in Stormy weather a great Ship come into that Stream whereof he saw sometimes the Fore-mast sometimes the Mizen-mast and the Sea strike above the Maine Quarter a while after which he could see nothing more of the Ship The Sea expert Baggowandel in his book called the VVatching Eye makes mention of this VVhirle pool and saith that Skipper Peter Odevald gave him knowledge of it I remember the time that the said Odevald got to know this Stream for he and his Folks told me that his Ship was drawn into it before he was aware and that he could not then Steer her the water beating in on all sides to a great height of the Mast and he could not save himself with his Sailes because it was quite still weather the Master affirming that he was never before in such peril and danger though at last it pleased God to assist him so that he came off again by the reflux of the Stream and arrived safe to Thors-haven whither he was bound Secondly according to the said John Jonasons Relation the ground round about this VVhirle-pool is eighty or ninety Fathom deep over which ground the Stream goeth still and quiet without any boistering afterwards round about the VVhirle-pool the ground lyeth 25 30 to 35 Fathoms deep over which ground the Sea with its waves begins to lift it self to work hard to draw and to whirle about afterwards there riseth a third ground which lyeth eight ten to twelve Fathom deep which formeth it self Snaile wise in a Circle four times double Nature hath made this high ground with points as the tops of some Cliffts whence it comes that upon the points there is only eight Fathoms deep of water and between them ten or twelve Fathoms wherefore when a Fisher Boat comes upon that uneven round Bank it is whirled about by the stream that turns round about these high Cliffts and that with such a swiftness that young people unused to such a whirle must lay themselves down in the Boat to avoid giddiness of the head and it is to be noted that besides this swift and hasty Gyration the Boat is turned about in another Circle according to the Snail-wise figure of the ground In the third place between these four round grounds there are three Channels or Conduits wherein the Sea worketh still and runs about in the said small turnings and before on the East side where the ground begins there is a Gulf where the stream runs in as through a Sluce though within it worketh but softly These Channels are 25 30 to 35 Fathoms deep now these Channels having uneven bottoms and the water flowing about in slow whirles it seems that the form of the bottom must be like that of the Superficie that is to say with small bowings and Cavities in it Fourthly in the mid'st of this VVhirle-pool there is a deep hole that is 50 or 55 Fathoms deep neer the very bottome in the middle thereof it is generally 61 Fathoms deep the inward water is even and still above only it runs slowly in a Circle which may easily be seen by the Seas Scum falling out of the Whirle pool that floweth round on the South side of that hole ariseth out of the water a Rock ten Fathoms high called Sumboe Munk about which there is but fifteen fathoms deepth At North of Sumboe Munk there are six lesser Rocks between which and the Munk there is the depth of three or four Fathoms And it is to be noted as is said above that on these Rocks the Compass runneth round about even as the Whirle-pool it self whereby it is spoiled So it is worth observation that on Sumboe Munk there is an extraordinary great cold even in the hottest Sunshine and best weather of Summer so that the people that get up the Munk to take Fowle can hardly endure the cold besides the Fowles that are hatcht and keep themselves there are very lean so that there is nothing on them but the bare Feathers I am in great doubt whence such an extraordinary cold should come the water about Feroe though it be cold in it self yet by reason of its faltness and perpetual motion causing usually there a temperate Winter I cannot therefore conjecture that this Streams continual motion should contrarywise cause such an extraordinary cold on the Munk. One may conclude
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
that hath also a felling Club to strike with when the Seals lying on dry ground begin to see the Light and men they will flee to Sea wherefore the old ones rise themselves on their paws with their Jaws open directly against the man specially if it be a He for then he will not flee from the man but the man must avoid him and when he strikes at him he meeteth the blow with his jaws snatching the Club from the mans hands and casting it on that side where there is no body Then comes the other man with his Club and strikes him over the neck but if it be a Shee she is not so fierce and fleeth from the man if she can When they hit them right over the head they fall down in a sound and then the men are presently ready so cut their throats When they have done so with all the old they come to the young ones that lye all still far from the water and never take notice of men nor light till they come and kill them when the slaughter is finish'd they hale the dead Kobs to the Water side and tye them fast to the Rope wherewith those in the Boat without pull them to them Last of all the men get out with the Boat that is within but if the waves be great the said Boat and men are also haled out In this manner they get sometimes many Seals often half a hundred in one Cave the old Kobs are as big as an Ox or Cow and so fat that one can get three Loads of Fat from them they use their skins for Shooes and eat the flesh of them they melt the Fat into Train Oyle and salt a part thereof to eat There are found several sorts of Whales under this Land amongst which there cometh one sort called Grind-Whale Grind according to the explication of Mr. Peter Clauson signifieth all sort of grates or Trellices either of Iron or Wood and because this sort of Whale swimmeth side to side by one another when they go on coupling such a Flock of Whales is called a Whales Grind. These Grind-Whales are not great the biggest being but five ells long and the young ones an ell and a half they come in great Flocks under the Land when it is dark or foggy weather so that they cannot see it which is therefore called Grind-weather When the Inhabitants are out about their Fishing and see a Flock of Whales those that see them first call and make signs to the other Boats that are about them who leaving their fishing come presently together and go to the Whales to drive them in towards the Land but when the Whales will turn back towards the Sea they cry out and make the most noise they can in the Boat throwing stones and what else they can find at them till the Whales turn again and then when God giveth his blessing they can drive them where they please as if it were a Flock of Sheep or Cattle When they come to Land they send a man or two to give notice every where and this messenger must go speedily day and night and is called Grind-message Those then that get notice of it presently kindle a brand on a certain place that they on the next Island where the message is not come may get timely notice of it who can know by the place whence the Fire or Smoak ariseth what it signifieth whereupon there cometh speedily a great number of Folks together some by Land and some by Water having their Whale Spears with them When they have then brought as many Boats together as they think needful they drive the Whales into an Inlet or Creek where they know there are good Whale-banks and flat sandy grounds whereon they drive the Whales with great crying noise and casting of Stones driving them as fast as they can upon the Sands then if it be necessary the Boats divide themselves into two companies the one lying below in the form of a half Moon to meet the Whale if it wou d flee away during the slaughter the other advancing into the midst of the Whale Flock thrusting their Whale Spears into their bodies in the mean time some of the people lye in an ambush on the Land till the Whales are come on ground and wade to them as deep as they can and then kill them chiefly with their Weapons with such fury on both sides that the water becometh as red as blood whereby the Whale is also blinded so that it cannot see to run away it is a strange thing to see that these strong creatures make no resistance but only plunge as well as they can before the boats and people till death cometh upon them and then they strike terribly about with their Tayles so that they beat sometimes the boats to pieces and the men come in danger if they do not know how to have a care of them Some of them get again loose from the Sands and carry sometimes the boats a great way with them on their backs over-turning them here and there and striking them full of water yet those that are below drive them in again but if they are not able to force them thereunto the rest come to their help so make them return though it happeneth also sometimes that they will at last suffer themselves to be driven in no more plunging and diving so much and a long way under the water that they must let them go the same happeneth also at Sea when they see them first and will drive them to Land for then they plunge sometimes so much that they must give them over whence one may conclude that this work doth only consist in a blessing of God When they have killed as many as they can get which lasteth well a whole day or longer they hale them on Land and those that are killed at Sea float up the next day and are also driven thither When all the Whales are thus brought on dry ground and are toll'd first the Tithes are taken of them then the Finding-Whale for him that saw them first the rest being divided into two parts the one whereof belongs to the people that took them and the other part to the owner of the Land under which they are taken whether it be the Kings some Noblemans or belongs to some Free-holders son sometimes the whole Flock of Whales cometh into the Inlets of it self in foggy weather no body driving them sometimes they come in with the Tide in a dark night running on the Sands where they lye dry when it is low water so that when folks come out in the morning they see sometimes the Sand covered with dead Whales which happened also for few years since in Tiorneviig In antient time there came greater multitudes of Whales and oftner then in our days though it happened that in the year 1664 there were taken in two places about a thousand Wherefore the Lord as also for his other benefits be
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
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