The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

JAX MAYEN. 45its municipal council of three, five, or seven members. In 1862 the armedforces consisted of three men, two day policemen and one night watch, atReykjavik.III.—JAN MAYEN.Although its northernmost peninsulas project into the arctic zone, Icelandis not the last land of the North Atlantic. The plateau on which it rests iscontinued north-eastwards towards the Norwegian waters, terminating with asort of headland, which rises above the surface to form the elongated island ofJan Mayen. Immediately beyond the Beerenberg, or "Bear Mount," rising toa height of 6,372 feet at its north-east end, the water suddenly sinks to greatdepths. At 2,000 feet from the shore Scoresby measured 305 fathoms, and Mohnfound the same dejith at a distance of I5 miles from the coast.Jan Mayen, which has an area of 160 square miles, was probably seen forthe first time by the English navigator, Henry Hudson, in 1607 ; but it receivedits name from Jan Mayen, who rediscovered it four years afterwards. Itis often wrapped in dense fogs, and, in the language of the early navigators, itis " then easier to hear the land than see it." But the reflection of volcaniceruptions has at times been detected above the surrounding mists. The Esk, avolcano south of the Beerenberg, was seen emitting flames in 1818. Beneaththe glaciers which partly cover its slopes geologists have recognised that theisland is of recent formation.Its lavas resemble the latest thrown up in Iceland,notably those forming the peninsula of Reykjanes, and differ entirely from thedolerites of the Faroer Isles.The island is uninhabited, but the surrounding waters are visited by sealhunters, mostly from the east of Scotland and Christiania. Their vessels skirtthe floating masses along the west and north coasts, which drift thence to theGreenland ice-fields. Here is mostly found the limit between the open and confinedwaters. Jan Mayen is like the last outpost of the world at the entrance tothe fro/en regions.ISLANDS OF THE NORTH ATLANTIC.Statistic8 and General Data.Faroer.—Area: 51 4square miles. Population (1S80) : 11,221, or 22 to 1 square mile nearly. Whalefishery between 1833—1862 : total captures, 37,986 ;yield, £152,000 blubber exported to Copenhagen.Average exports of fish, &c. : 3,100,000 lbs salt and smoked; 200,000 lbs. fresh; 1,141 tons blubber;10,000 lbs. bladders ; 170 tons roe. Average value of exports, £37,000 ; of imports, £27,000.Iceland.—Area: 40,460 square miles. Population (1878) : "2,000, or 1-8 to 1 square mile.Temperature of the sea in July (Irminger and Dufferin) :North-west coast45° to 49° Fahr.East coast 40° to 42° „Mean annual temperature 36° „Extremes 30° to 40" .,