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A. denotes J. J. Astrand, professor, director of the observatory at Bergen.

8. denotes according to the trigonometrical survey.

p. v denotes found by observations in the prime vertical.

c. m. denotes found by circum-meridian observations.

t. denotes found by telegraph method.

c. denotes found by chronometer.

z. denotes found by zenith distances.

n. denotes found by nevellment.

The declination of the magnetic needle in August, 1856, was found by Count de Besplas to be 20° 59' NW., at Bergen.

Professor Astrand has given in Torhand longen i Videnskabs Silskabit-i Christiana for the year 1860, on page 197, the following formula for finding the declination at the time t.

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By the hydrographical office in London was published, in the beginning of 1858, an advertisement concerning the variations of the compass in the North sea and the Baltic, for the purpose of turning the attention of seamen to the yearly diminution of the variation, so that they, as well as the agents for the sale of sea-charts, could be able to correct the numerous charts and sailing directions in which the variation of the compass yet is given more or less erroneous. This advertisement states that the yearly diminution of the variation in 1858 was, upon an average, seven (7) minutes, which, according to the above formula derived from the best-known observations, the diminution of the variation at that time, was not only considerably greater, viz: 10 minutes, but is also continually arising to a greater amount. As these matters are of great practical importance to navigation, I have considered it my duty to notice it. Professor Hausten found in Bergen, in August, 1860, the inclination to be 72° 38' 5". The horizontal intensity 1° 46′ 18′′.

It is to be regretted that no accurate account concerning the establishment of the port, and the height of high water in the several Norwegian harbors, can be given for the want of self-registering tide machines. Hitherto no series of tide observations have been undertaken in Norway. The tidal date for Bergen. which are generally given in nautical tables, viz: 10h. 45m., and the rise of the water at 4 feet, are consequently rough approximations and unreliable. The mean yearly temperature of the atmosphere at Bergen is 47° Fahrenheit. The yearly amount of rain is 83 inches. The south and southwest winds are prevailing in the summer months; the north and northeast in winter. The clearest month is May; March the most stormy; most rainy September; and the least rainy April.

JUNE 17, 1862.

I would respectfully inform the department that in this part of the country a disease is prevalent called spedelskheden, (elephantiasis.) A short description is herewith transmitted, (enclosure No. 2.) I deem it of the greatest importance that the government of the United States should take such steps as will prevent its further introduction in that country. I would suggest that, if consistent, the system of passports, especially to emigrants destined for the United States.

should be continued. Much good would result from it, both to the government and the emigrant. The character of the emigration may be known and in a great degree controlled. The sending of paupers and pardoned criminals to the United States may be prohibited. When a foreign ship is destined to some Canadian port, with emigrants for the United States, (which is especially the case with Norwegian emigrants,) the British consul takes no cognizance of the passengers. Greedy merchants and shipmasters take all the passengers they can get, without regard to the tonnage or the convenience of the vessel. The passengers are often so crowded that they contract disease during the passage, which does not break out before they have reached their destination in the United States. This disease is oftentimes incurable, and it draws heavy on the charity of the people of the western States. If the emigrant were obliged to take out a passport at the port of embarcation, which may be styled in peculiar manner, the United States consul may act in behalf of the emigrant, and have authority to interfere and hinder any abuse intended. The ship should take out a consular bill of health, based upon a certificate of a competent physician, which is particularly necessary when leprosy prevails, or any contagious disease. I would here notice that from the districts where leprosy prevails the emigration has hitherto been inconsiderable, but I have been informed that hereafter it will be quite large. This system will not deter the emigration. In a financial point of view it would greatly add to the fund for the maintenance of the consular system. The fee for a passport ought to be one dollar for the first, and twenty-five cents for each additional person included in each passport; onehalf of such fee to be retained by consuls or consular agents, who do not receive salary, the balance to be returned to the United States treasury through the principal consular officer. I am sure that, since the passage of the homestead bill, no emigrant will have any objection, especially as it is to their benefit. I have conversed with the authorities here on the subject, and it is their desire that something should be done for the protection of the emigrant, and that it can only effectually be done by the United States consul in behalf of the United States, as it is indispensable that they should arrive at their destination in a healthy condition. I would notice that the emigrants from this country generally furnish their own provisions, and of the poorest kind, and no particular regulation as to the quantity, which sometimes causes great misery.

Leprosy or elephantiasis, (Norwegian, Spedalskhed.)

This fearful disease, much depending on the nature of the country, and appearing mostly to exist in Norway, and seriously counterbalancing the otherwise healthy condition of the country, does not exist either in Sweden, Denmark, or Finland, but is sometimes found in Iceland, and in Norway only on that portion of the western coast from the south line of the Arnt of Scavenger to the north part of Sinjin and Troms, near the coast, and sometimes found east over as far as the highland. Outside of this range the disease has appeared but in a few instances. It has not been known in Finmarken proper, and only in a few instances has appeared on the borders of the White sea. It is asserted that, when this disease is prevalent, the climate is similar to that of Iceland. Inasmuch as this disease is depending upon geographical positions for its existence on the low sea-coast, it may under some circumstances in other parts of the globe. In the middle ages it was spread along the European shores. However, in modern times it has been of rare occurrence, in a milder form on the coast of France and Italy.

Different persons affected with this disease have emigrated to the United States, and some of them have written back that the climate of the high uplands has, in a great degree, mitigated its severity. One case of this disease, in the tubercular form, came under my personal observation in the county of

Waupacca, State of Wisconsin, and it baffled all medical skill. The man was about forty years of age, and had become totally helpless and blind. He emigrated to the United States in 1850 apparently healthy. Several persons known to have been affected with this disease have emigrated to the United States. Since 1860 one has returned, and is now in one of the hospitals. Although this disease depends upon the nature of the country in a great degree, it is hereditary, and is spreading in certain families. It has also proved to be endemic. Sometimes it may skip children and reappear in grandchildren; and when the disease has once attacked, any attempt to cure has in most cases proved a failure, but commonly ends with death, after enduring perhaps twenty years of intense suffering. At the close of the year of 1858 the number of persons known to be inflicted with the disease in Norway amounted to 2,027, and the number of deaths from the disease the same year was 206. The number infected at the close of 1860 amounted to 2,068. This is known to have been reported, but the families within which it existed endeavored to conceal it, so that the actual number cannot with any certainty be ascertained.

The Norwegian government has spared no pains nor expense to allay the evil. Hospitals have been established in different parts of the country so as to keep the disease as much as possible from the healthy portion of the community. The following tabular statement shows the different hospitals for leprosy estab ished in Norway:

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The hospital was burned down in 1853; rebuilt and completed in the spring of 1859.

From this it may be seen that the hospitals now in operation are capable of accommodating 924, and now contain 537 patients. Six of those hospitals are supported by the government, and one only by private association. Those hospitals are fitted up in a style worthy of any country, with their gardens and parks, and in every way calculated to ameliorate the condition of the patients. They are free to all who apply for admittance. Through the kindness of Doctor Danielsson, (now chosen member of the Norwegian diet,) I have been permitted to visit the hospitals in this city, and must say that I never before have seen such misery at one time. All the hospitals in this city are under the supervision of Doctor Danielsson, to whose indefatigable labor and philanthropy this country is much indebted, having occupied all his time and energy for the cause of those unfortunates, and has brought the matter to the notice and attention of the government. He has written an extensive treatise on elephantiasis, embellished with numerous illustrations, which treatise is printed in the Norwegian and French language, and the only one of any note written on the subject. I am especially indebted to him for information. But notwithstanding the exertions on the part of the government, the evil is on the increase, and only fortyfive persons in all have left the hospitals during the last two years apparently cured, but eleven of that number having returned; and it is not ascertained

that any one has been perfectly cured. On the sea-coast, where the disease prevails, the mode of living, which is extremely poor, neglected cleanliness, exposure of the body to the inclemency of the weather, and generally poor water, together with constant dampness of the air, contribute in a very considerable degree to its maintenance; and it is hoped that since the fisheries of Norway are profitable, this cause will soon cease to exist. The common people believe that the original cause of this disease was brought on by colds, contracted during childhood, in going barefooted, and much with wet garments, herding cattle in the mountain valleys, which practices, since their conditions are bettered, will soon disappear. It is worthy of notice that the disease never appears in persons living in the cities which are situated within the district where it prevails. This is particularly the case with the city of Bergen, having a popu lation of 27,000, with its crowded streets and alleys, where the climate is very damp and coastlike, and where the yearly quantity of rain is 83 inches. Within the city a hospital (St. Jorgen's) for persons affected with this disease has been established for about two hundred years. Notwithstanding this no person living there has ever caught the disease; and whenever any person within the corporation has taken the disease, it has been found, upon examination, to be some person moved in from the country, or, contracted the disease outside of the city. It appears now that the disease is mostly confined to North Bergenhers and part of Droutheems Hifts. In this country, where families reside for centuries in one place, it has a tendency to confine it within certain limits.

The disease appears in two distinct forms: one, the most dangerous, appears in spots, first whitish, then dark brown or purple; in this the nerves enlarge, the limb becomes paralyzed, and finally drops off. The other form appears in tubercles of a purple color, often extending over the whole body. For a full description of the disease I will respectfully refer to Doctor D. C. Danielsson's treatise on elephantiasis, a copy of which has been transmitted to the Smithsonian Institution at Washington. I hope the medical profession of the United States will give the matter some attention, as, without a doubt, this disease exists in the western States, and that to a greater extent than is anticipated.

OCTOBER 7, 1862.

I have herewith the honor to transmit my report for the year ended September 30, 1862, being the first report of the nature I have had the honor to submit. It contains many things which might well have been omitted, being facts well known; but it may be relied upon as correct, and being as concise as it could well be. There being no American trade direct with this country, I have but little to report in a commercial point of view, of interest to the United States. Perhaps in my next I shall be able to show a change in that respect. I regret much that I have been unable to collect information of later date, but that is not owing to inaction on my part. I have done all in my power to obtain it, without success. I therefore beg leave to make additions from time to time, as the government statistics are published. There is at present no such publication later than for 1860.

ANNUAL REPORT.

Measures, weights and coins of the kingdom of Norway.

1 Norwegian fod 12 tourmer=139.0808 French lignes feet.

1 Norwegian mile 36000 fod=37,057 English feet.

1,029.357 English

1 Norwegian tunnalaud=4000 Norwegian square feet-0.97295 acre.

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1 Norwegian pot=3 Norwegian cubic fod=0.21241 imperial lt. gallon. 1 Norwegian kannlaud 43 Norway cubic feet-30.587 imperial ld. gallon. 1 Norwegian pund 32 Norwegian lod=498.1137 French grammes=109815 avoirdupois pounds.

1 Norwegian commerce last=5,200 Norwegian pund=25,484 tons English.* 1 Norwegian speciedaler-5 ort-120 skilling; the whole weight 448.38. Troy grains-the silver weight=392.34 troy grains, value 1,059 dollars.

1 Norwegian ort 24 skilling, the whole weight 89.68 troy grains the silver weight 49.04 troy pounds. The value 21.2 cents.

1 Norwegian skilling copper coin=0.883 cent.

Concerning the relation between the Norwegian and the Danish measures, weights, and coins, it is to be remarked that in trade and commerce they are assumed as identical, but in reality they are not so, because the length of the Norwegian foot, from which all the Norwegian measures and weights are derived, is, by the act of the diet, July 24, 1824, established to be ths of that pendulum which is swinging - seconds of mean time in at 45° north latitude, and at the surface of the sea, or, according to Professor Husten's researches, 139.0868 French lignes. The Danish foot is, according to Professor Oested's determination in 1820, exactly equal to the Prussian or Rhenlandic foot, or 139.13 French lignes; consequently 1 Norwegian fod=0.999646 Danish fod; 1 Norwegian pot 0.998938 Danish pot; 1 Norwegian pound=0 996213 Danish pound; 1 Norway speciedaler 1 Danish speciedaler, because 1 Cologne mark fine silver-9 Norway speciedalers=94 Danish speciedalers.

The Norwegian diet appropriated, for the year 1860, 4,755,000 speciedalers, besides what were to be paid out of the two separate funds-the educational and church and school funds-which amounted to 107,400 speciedalers.

* * Norway is divided into five stifts. The area and population (after the census of 1855) are arranged in the following tables:

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The population of Norway in 1769 was 748,000; in 1815, 885,431; in 1835, 1,194,827; in 1845, 1,338,471.

The principal occupation of the greater part of the inhabitants is raising cattle and sheep, which they in the summer herd in the mountain valleys, and on the islands on the coast, which afford a rich grass, but during the long winter there is a great scarcity of fodder.

The most important kinds of grain raised in Norway are oats, barley, and potatoes, but not sufficient for the consumption. Norway imports yearly about 4,000,000 bushels of various kinds of grain; also, butter, cheese, beef, pork, and hides.

For the purpose of improving the agricultural system of Norway there has of late been an agricultural school or college established at Christiana, and

This is calculated at 2,240 pounds to the ton; but often 2,000 pounds is 1 commerce lest =28,542 tons.

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