CHAP. I. A Description of Biarmia .

BIarmia is a Northern Countrey , the Zenith whereof is the Artick Pole , and the Horizon is the same with the Equinoctial Circle ; which cutting the Zodiack into two equal parts , makes the half year one artificial day , and the other half one night : so that the whole year is there but one natural day . Now Biarmia is divided , according to Saxo Sialandicus , into the furthermost , and hithermost : In the hithermost , there are Mountains that are covered with snow perpetually , but they do no hurt , for they are never melted by the Sun : between these there are Woods and Groves in abundance , and it is most fertile with Pasture Grounds , and there are Beasts very frequent , that are not usual elsewhere . There are many Rivers in it , because there are so many Rocks in the Channels , and these run with a noise and foaming , as they are carryed on . But in the further Biarmia , there are some monstrous strange people , to whom the passage is difficult , and full of danger , that men can hardly come unto them . For the greatest part of the way is constantly blocked up by Mountains of snow , and if any man would pass over them , he must ride in a Chariot , drawn with Stags , ( as there is a great number of them in that place , as there is in Italy of Asses ) and by the incredible swiftness of them , he may pass over the Clifts that are exceedingly frozen . Saxo mentions one Meningus , a Satyr of the Woods , who was very rich , and inhabited there ; unto whom one Hotherus , King of the Swedes , was brought by tame Stags , and be●ame very rich and happy with great spoils : yet both these Countries are distinguished with Valleys and Fields , and would afford good Corn , if it were sowed there : But there is such plenty of Fish there in all places , and so much hunting after wild Beasts , which is the cause that men do not much desire Bread for use . When those of Biarmia go to fight , they commonly change their Arms into Art , and are wont by Charms to the Clouds , to open the Air , and to turn a fair day into rainy weather . The men of Biarmia are Idolaters , and Wain-drivers , as the Scythians are , and very cunning to bewitch men . For they will so bind men by the Witchery of their eyes , or words , or some other way , that they cannot be at liberty , or in their right mind but oft-times pine aw●y , and dye of a Consumption .

CHAP. II . The Description of Finmarck .

FInmarck is a Northern Countrey , of the part of Norway ; of old , by reason of the largeness of it , it was honoured with the Title of a Kingdome . This place is seated in the coldest part of the World : yet the men there are of strong bodies , and stout minds , and they are wont manfully to defend themselves against the assaults of their Enemies . The Ayr of that and the Neighbour Countries is alwayes cold , clear , yet agreeing with the bodies of men ; and in Summer there are very few showers : and the clemency of the Ayr there is so good , that Fishes never salted , but onely dryed in the Ayr , will last uncorrupted ten years . There is a continual day from the 8th . of the Calends of April , unto the sixth of the Ides of September , without any darknesse coming between , and the Sun is seen from the fourth of the Nones of May , unto the Calends of August , without any night coming between . The distance from this Northern Finmarck unto the more Southern parts of the Goths , is above 350. Gothick miles , where at midnight , about the Summer Solstice in divers places , namely at Lin-Copia , and Scares the smallest Letters may be read without any Candle , and moneyes told . Also in these places , under the Elevation of the North Pole , in 60. degrees , from the beginning of May , untill the beginning of August , no Stars are to be seen : Besides the Moon , which at the Full appears like a Burning Bush , something toward the Superficies of the Earth , for that space of time , to the admiration and horrour of those who see it .

CHAP. III . The Description of Scricfinnia .

SCricfinnia is a Countrey between Biarmia , and Finmarck ; yet it hath one ●ong corner that stretcheth Southward , and towards the Bothrick Sea ; it is called a Tail principally , because the Inhabitants of it slide very swift , having their feet fastned to crooked pieces of Wood made plain , and bended like a Bow in the former part , with a staff in their hands to guide them ; and by these , at their pleasure they can transport themselves upward downward , or obliquely , o●er the tops of ●now ; yet ever observing that proportion , that one of these pieces of Wood shal be longer then the other a full foot , according as the men or women are in tallness : so that if a man or woman be eight foot high the one piece of wood shall be just so long , and the other piece of wood shall be nine foot . Moreover , they provide that those pieces o● wood be covered beneath with the tender skin of a young Fawn ; the form and colour whereof is like to a Deer Skin but it is far longer and larger . But why these pieces of wood are covered with these tender Skins , there are divers causes given ; namely that they may transport themselves the swifter over these high Snows , that they may the more nimbly avoid Clifts of Rocks , and steep places with an overthwart motion , that when they ascend to a place , they may not fall backward : because the Hair will rise like Spears , or Hedg-Hogs Bristles , and by an admirable power of Nature hinder them from falling down . Therefore with such Instruments , and the Art they have to run , they are wont , especially in Winter time , to passe over the unaccessible places of Mountains , and Valleys ; but not so early in Summer , though the Snow be there , because the Wood soon sinks into them . Not is there any Rock so prominent , but they can cunningly run up to the top of it , by a winding course . For first leaving the deep places or Valleyes , they passe over the feet of the Mountains , with a crooked motion round about ; and they so turn to and fro , untill they come to the highest parts of those winding Hills : sometimes they do it in heat of Hunting , sometimes to try their Skill , and to contend for mastery therein , as those who run Races to win the price .

CHAP. IV . Of the Vehemency of the Southern Wind .

THere is a Port in Island , ( a Land that is next to the Frozen Sea , under the Dominion of the Kingdome of Norway , commonly called Vestrabort ) named the West part ; neer which about the Sea shores and Fields , men riding in Armour , by the mighty blast of the Southern Wind , are blown down to the ground like Towe . Likewise , neer those that dwell in Rocks and Caves , especially in that time of Winter , that the Sun goes back to the Solstitial Signes , when the Windes are more temperate amongst the Waves of the Seas . Moreover there are Mountains in Ireand not very high , that stick forth in many places ; upon which if any man strive to go when this Southern Wind blowes , he must not onely look for danger , but to be suffocated in Bogs and Quick-Sands . But how formidable and hurtful the Windes are on the Western Banks of Norway , the Inhabitants , nor such as travel there , can be ignorant : For they shall see no Shrub nor Tree to grow there , by reason of the violence of this Winde : Wherefore , for want of Wood , they are forced to burn great Fish-bones to make Fire , and to boyl their Meats . The Inhabitants that dwell on the West Coasts of Bothnia , to the great hurt oft-times , have the tryal of it , how cruelly that wind rageth there . For it will carry away the whole tops of houses , and scatter them upon the Land in several pieces , at vast distances .

CHAP. V. Of the Violence of North-Winds .

WHirlwinds and Northerly Tempests , to have a most terrible and dangerous force , no man can be ignorant , who hath learned or searched out the secrets of Nature : especially since the cause and matter of its Oiginal , is manifold and indeficient . Therefore oft-times they take away the Waters of the Sea from under the ships , and carry the ships up into the Ayr : Also they let fall stones , and other living Creatures , which they have taken up something high ; and not onely those , but the Lead that covers Churches , and divers houses , and the strongest Beams are carried into the Air , and then another more vehement blast comes , they are carried a great way . Also sometimes whole mills with huge stones being compassed about with a Whirlwind , are transported into places far off , the people being safe ; and sometimes such a mighty Whirlwind descends that it involves Cities , Castles , Villages , and scatters houses afar off in the Fields , as I said . In Summer , Winds blow from the West and the North with so great violence , that they will take up whole handfuls of stones from the ground , and will make great heapes of stones , like to heaps of Sand ; and sometimes they will draw from men their weapons and clothes , and sometimes take the Rider off of his horse . Also it sometimes fell out in Victria or Norway , that great Fish which were to be dried in the Air and Sun , were taken off from poles like planks , by boysterous winds , in great numbers , and carried from rich Fishers houses , unto poor mens , and are received as a gift given them by God .

CHAP. VI . The divers Effects of Thunder and Lightning in the Northern Parts .

THundirng and Lightning have a most formidable effect in the Northern parts , especially in places opposite to the South . There appeares o●ten in the North parts , in clear weather , all the night , in September , continual Lightnings , that threaten rather then hurt the Beholders of them . But Thunder rising from the Nature of the Clouds , and the Thunder-bolt falling , do bring grievous mischiefs to men , and other Creatures in those parts . For it kills many men and cattle that are found upon places that are high , and consumes with a flame , not to be put out , the highest Towers , and houses , that are daubed over with hard Pitch , and this is no wonder ; it cleaves down-right the loftiest Trees from the very top ; or else beats them down , corroding them obliquely .

CHAP. VII . Of the fierceness of Cold .

IT may be demonstrated by many Reasons , rather then Examples by Sense , what great power Frost and Snow hath in the North , as in its proper place . For the fearful multitude of living Creatures , feels its force and piercing , though they be many Furlongs from it , and the body and parts are perished and benummed with a little of it falling upon them . What can it not do , where Cold it self rules in its full force , and according to the Law of Nature ; under which , because I was born and bred , ( about the Elevation of the North Pole in the Degree 86. ) I think I can more clearly demonstrate it in this , and the many following Chapters , than other men that write by uncertain Opinion , how horrible and vehement the Cold is there : because from thence by succession , as it were Beames from the Center , it spreads it self into the whole World , as all Nations that it pierceth into , moved by the sharpness of it , can testifie .

CHAP. VIII . Of Frosts , and the falling of Snow .

SO great sometimes is the force of Frosts , and the falling of Snow in the Northern parts ; and so sharp are the Tempests , and vehement Darkness , obscuring the Air , that Travellers cannot shun nor know the next man that comes , be he Foe or Friend . That which breeds the greatest difficulty , is that on both sides , there hang over mens heads either high Clifts , or Snow hardned , and so high , that those who carry burdens , can neither get forth to the right hand , not to the lest : But because they can seldome find a desired Remedy against these steep places , for the standing of their Cattel , they dig down the Snow with mutual labour , and they turn their wains upside down upon them : that so they may finish their intended Journey . And they do this with that celerity , as if they were urged to do it suddenly , to put away some dangerous Fire , or some most hurtful Danger ; least if they should use any delay by the sudden falling of Snow and Frost , the wayes should be filled , and the Woods , that they should hardly know which is the way , or the field . There is little or no difficulty in the Ice , because it is ever every where , and pleasing to Passengers , onely they must be careful where the Ice breaks , to look to the Signs that are opposite to the Orifice of the breach ; which Signs appear by the crazy pieces of Ice left at the mouth of it lying open or by the green boughs of Firr or Juniper congealed in the Ice , and sticking forth ; and that in a long order for many miles , is carefully lookt to at the cost and by the diligence of the Fisher-men , least Travellers might mistake their wayes . But in the Wood sometimes men meet with no small Obstacles , when they fall together by breaking , or moving of Trees : especially the poplar Trees stand by reason of the thickness of Snow , as bent bowes loaded with Snow : by the least motion whereof great heaps of Snow , falling on the Travellers , do not a little hinder them : Also the Trees themselves falling across , being broken down by the weight of the Snow , makes the way altogether impassible , that they cannot get forth but by Axes , which they carry with them for that use ; as I testifie it fell often out with me and others of my company .