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I.—History of Geological Discovery in Greenland.

I do not think that I can more fitly preface these notes on the lithology of Mid Greenland,^* than by briefly sketching the history of the progress of geological discovery in that country. Discovered by a roving Icelandic Viking in the ninth century, it is still very partially known, and it was not until the beginning of this century that we obtained any correct information regarding its mineral resources or geological history, the early missionaries Egede, Crantz,^* Fabricius, and Saabye; as well as other visitors and explorers, being apparently unacquainted with and very little observant of geological phenomena—a branch of science, in truth, but of very recent growth at the period they wrote.

1. Giesecke.—Sir Charles Louis Giesecke is famous in the annals of Greenland research more from what he was known to have done, than from what he gave to the world as the fruits of his long labours. He was, however, the first in point of time—if not of merit—of all the Greenland geologists. Born at Augsburg in 1761, he was originally intended for the church; but after various changes of occupation and a life of some adventure—figuring among other roles as an actor—he devoted himself in about his fortieth year to mineralogy, and in 1801 studied under the celebrated Werner at the Mining School of Friburg, became “Bergsmand,” and finally settled down as a dealer in minerals in Vienna. He subsequently travelled with mineralogical views in several parts of the north of

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