gloves, inltleiis, and stockings. The i)ca-
santry are generally ingenious: they make
such pieces of ruriiituro as tlieir simple cottages
require; some aspire to make trinki'ts o(
silver, snulT-boxos, and some other articles of
the walrus tusks ; they also forge implements
of iron. Bnt Iceland is scantily supplied with
metals; vestiges of iron arc abundant, bnt if
AVorth extracting the metal, they have neither
Avood nor coal to do so—in fact, the only
mineral they extract from the earth is a little
sulphur from the mines of Krusivik, Avhich is
scarcely Avorth the labour of preparing it.
Iceland consists strictly of a pastoral and fish-
ing population.
20. Q. Are there any returns to be procured of the
exports and imports ?
A. Produce has of late years been very considerable,
and the export of avooI alone has been
from 3000 to 4000 Skipjmnd.
Obs.—We Avere told that the breed of sheep had
of late years been much encouraged, and that
the numbers Avere fast increasing. The Skip-
pund in Norway is about 320 English pounds.
This Avould give for the export of avooI from
960.000 to 1,280,000 ; but besides the raw
AVOol, there are exported annually not less than
200.000 pairs of knitted stockings, and
300.000 mittens, or gloves Avithout fingers.
The Iceland sheep have remarkably fine
fleeces of wool, which the farmers never shear,
but in the spring of tlie year it is taken off
whole, as if it were a skin that e,asily slips
off I'h e weight of a fleece is from four to five
pounds. Other exports arc dried fish, salted
cod, and other species of the same genus,
for the quality of which the fishing banks of
Iceland arc celebrated, but Avhich, of late
years, have been much invaded by French
and Dutch fishermen, to the great grievance
of the Icelanders. They also export fish-oil,
Avhale-blubber, skins, eider-down, and a small
quantity of the Lichen Islandicus for medicinal
purposes. Their imports, Avith the exception
of salt and timber, are generally in
the hands of the Danes, and consist of a small
quantity of Avheat and much rye, Avine, iron,
earthenware, furniture, and various articles of
colonial produce, especially sugar and coffee,
besides beer and spirits, snuff and tobacco, all
of Avhich are in almost general demand, especially
the last two.
21. Q. What number of medical men are there on
the island ?
A. One physician, and six district surgeons.
22. Q. What charitable institutions ?
A. There are no charitable institutions except
four hospitals for invalid lepers, of Avhich there are
generally not more than three or four in each.
o