in Norway of the red deer or stag (cervus elaphus.) This of course particularly interested me, and I would gladly have stopped upon the islands a few days to have learned all I could of their habits in their wild state; but time was precious, if I would see the midnight sun at his highest altitude. So I must content myself with what I could subsequently learn from reliable sources.

This interesting deer has not, in modern times at least, been an inhabitant of arctic Norway, nor has its range extended above the sixty-third degree of north latitude, even on the west coast, where the climate is milder.

The corresponding species in America-I will not stop now to vindicate their specific identity, which was recognized by the old authoritiesthe wapiti deer or American elk (cervus canadensis) affects about the same temperature on this continent for its extreme northern range, which it finds in the 56th or 57th parallel of north latitude, and from the 103d to the 11th degree of west longitude, and in lower latitudes to the east and west of this district.

Formerly, indeed, probably when the climate was milder in all the higher latitudes of Europe than at present, perhaps when the arctic elephant

existed in incredible numbers on the borders of the Arctic Ocean, the red deer was an inhabitant of Finmark, as is evidenced by the fossil remains which have been found on some of the islands off that coast.

It seems to have preferred the islands rather than the more rigorous climate of the interior for its home, and now in Norway we find it confined to these two great islands, which are separated by a strait but a few miles wide, in which are a multitude of smaller islands, and it may not be improbable that they pass from one island to the other if they are as good swimmers as the other members of the deer family.

On these islands I was told by good authority that the red deer are strictly preserved, and here is presented an admirable opportunity of repeating the experiment of interbreeding them with the wapiti, which has been successfully tried in Bohemia.

The fishermen's huts at the little intervals along the shores, surrounded by gardens and green patches, looked cheery and comfortable; their fishing boats gliding along the waters or standing quietly in position, the occupants indus

triously engaged in their business, told us that contented people lived here, as well as in lands which we call more favored.

We turned a promontory, and the ancient capital of Norway lay before us. Centuries ago it was the great city of the Northmen, whose kings were a terror to other lands. Here they brought their spoil, and reveled with the fruits of rapine. They were rude no doubt, and so were all their neighbors. Bold they were beyond all question, and surrounded by bold and devoted followers, who dared all dangers whether by land

or water.

About twelve o'clock we dropped anchor in the bay, a third of a mile from the dock, and were immediately surrounded by a squadron of small boats, all seeking passengers to land. Hattram, a Norwegian who had lived eleven years near me in America, and who was expecting my arrival on the Tasso, jumped on board, and told me he had engaged a boat for my party, and in a few minutes we found ourselves and our trunks, bundles and chairs propelled rapidly to shore. Our baggage had been inspected before we came to anchor, so there was no trouble of that kind on landing.

I may say