The universal geography : earth and its inhabitants

INHABITANTS—PREHISTORIC REMAINS. 57Farther north are the islets and rocks of Ertholmene, generally known by thename of Christianso, the largest of the group. They belong to Denmark as adependency of Bornholin, and form a harbour of refuge with a good lightbouse.Climate.The climate of the peninsula and islands is comparatively temperate, thoughthat of the islands is milder than in the interior of Jylland, because, being ofsmaller extent, they are more exposed tothe influence of the sea. The winters arevery variable, the channels being sometimesquite free, sometimes ice-bound fortwo or three months at a time. On theseoccasions the Great Belt is crossed byboats carrying passengers and goods, bymeans of a special contrivance. This socalled"ice traffic" (istramporf), whichsome years is unnecessary, but which in1871 lasted from January 1st to March 1st,has been carefully recorded since the year1794. In 1658 Charles X. of Sweden ledhis army, artillery, and heavy baggageover the ice from Fyen to Langeland,and thence to Laaland, thereby bringingthe King of Denmark to terms.The prevailing wind is from the west,and is charged with the moisture of theAtlantic waters. Hence the western seaboardis most exposed to the action ofthe waves. The very trees shoot theirbranches landwards, while their topsseem cut as if with a sharp knife. Evenon the east side of Jylland they areaffected by the prevailing atmosphericcurrent, though the people here find26.—The Skaw.ile 1 : l.onn.non.shelter enough to build their villages and till the land in safety along the coast.*Inhabitants.— Prehistoric Remains.The flora and fauna of Jylland and the Danish isles differ little from those ofthe adjacent lands of Scania and Schleswig, the same climate having everywheredeveloped the same animal and vegetable forms. But not so with the humanspecies, the Danes forming a people apart, with their distinct traditions, character,and national sentiment. Although of Teutonic stock, they regard themselves as* Mean temperature at Copenhagen:—Spring, 43° F. ; summer, 63'; autumn, 49°; winter, 31';year, 46'.