(W. Long. 19°, N. Lat. 28°), the most westerly of the Canary islands, near the African coast, where the first meridian was lately fixed in most maps; but now, the geographers of almost every kingdom make their respective capitals the first meridian, as we do London. It is a dry and barren spot, affording no water except what is supplied in a very surprising manner by a tree which grows in these islands, called the Fountain-Tree.

Ferro, Faro, or Feroe Islands; a cluster of little islands lying in the Northern ocean, between 61° 15', and 62° 21' N. Lat. and between 5° and 8° W. Long. They belong to Denmark. There are 17 which are habitable; each of which is a lofty mountain arising out of the waves, divided from the others by deep and rapid currents. Some of them are deeply indented with secure harbours; Providence seeming to have favoured mankind with the safest retreats in the most boisterous seas. All are very steep, and most of them faced with most tremendous precipices. The surface of the mountains consists of a shallow foil of remarkable fertility; for barley, the only corn grown here, yields above 20 for one; and the grass affords abundant pasture for sheep. The exports are, salted mutton and tallow, goose quills, feathers, and eider down; and, by the industry of the inhabitants, knit woollen waistcoats, caps, and stockings. No trees beyond the size of juniper or stunted willows will grow here, nor are any wild quadrupeds to be met with except rats and mice, originally escaped from the shipping. Vast quantities of sea fowl frequent the rocks; and the taking of them furnishes a very perilous employment to the natives, as described under the article Bird-Catching.

The sea which surrounds these islands is extremely turbulent. The tides vary greatly on the western and eastern sides. On the first, where is received the uninterrupted flood of the ocean from the remote Greenland, the tide rises seven fathoms; on the eastern side it rises only three. Dreadful whirlwinds, called by the Danes aer, agitate the sea to a strange degree; catch up a vast quantity of water, so as to leave a great temporary chain in the spot on which it falls, and carries away with it, to an amazing distance, any fishes which may happen to be within the reach of its fury. Thus great shoals of herrings have been found on the highest mountains of Feroe. It is equally restless on land; tearing up trees, stones, and animals, and carrying them to very distant places.

Among the numerous whirlpools of these seas, that of Suderoe, near the island of the same name, is the most noted. It is occasioned by a crater 61 fathoms in depth in the centre, and from 50 to 55 on the sides. The water forms four fierce circumjurgations. The point they begin at is on the side of a large basin, where commences a range of rocks running spirally and terminating at the verge of the crater. This range is extremely rugged, and covered with water from the depth of 12 to 8 fathoms only. It forms four equidistant wreaths with a channel from 35 to 20 fathoms in depth between each. On the outside beyond that depth, the sea suddenly sinks to 80 and go. On the south border of the basin is a lofty rock, called Sumbøe Munk, noted for the multitude of birds which frequent it. On one side, the water is only 3 or 4 fathoms deep; on the other 15. The danger at most times, especially in storms, is very great. Ships are irresistibly drawn in; the rudder loses its power; and the waves beat as high as the masts; so that an escape is almost miraculous; yet at the reflux, and in very still weather, the inhabitants will venture in boats for the sake of fishing.

Innumerable flocks of aquatic birds are continually to be seen perched on the extremities of the rocks, which make their nests in the clefts above the precipices; and vast numbers of them may be killed by the discharge of a single musket, and the rest will not stir, so little are they accustomed to be disturbed. One of the islands contains but a single habitation, which can be visited by the curate only in summer. In the southern parts of these islands coal-mines were discovered about the beginning of the eighteenth century, and trials of the coals were only made in 1777, when it was judged that working them would be of sufficient interest and consequence. The quarry was determined by a commissary to be about 12,000 feet long, 4000 broad on a medium, and five feet deep; but so great did the difficulty of working it appear, that the idea was abandoned. The coals were analyzed by the celebrated professor Kratzenstein of Copenhagen, who found that they were superior to those of England, as burning longer, and giving a more intense heat, but not so easily kindled. A trial of them has been made in Scotland, and they are allowed to be of a superior quality. It is a favourable circumstance to the exportation of the produce of those islands, that their harbours are never frozen, and navigation of consequence could meet with no interruption during the winter.

The measles and smallpox never attack the inhabitants but when they are brought there by strangers, when the ravages they make are almost as terrible as those of the pestilence; but for 70 years back they have not been subjected to this dreadful visitation. The air is temperate, and neither too hot in summer, nor extremely cold in winter. There are frequent mists on these islands, but they do not seem to be injurious to the health of the inhabitants. The wind often blows with such violence, that the people on horseback are obliged to dismount at its approach, which is announced by a whistling across the rocks; and persons on foot must throw themselves flat on their face, to avoid the dreadful consequences of the irresistible hurricane. So sudden is its approach at some times, that a burning candle might be carried in the open air but a few seconds before it. There is seldom any thunder on these islands; but when the phenomenon does happen, its awful and incessant roar among the rocks is truly alarming. Potatoes, the cultivation of which is rapidly advancing, thrive well, and the same is the case with radishes and turnips. Corn is not much cultivated, which would require excessive labour in a country so mountainous, and the spring fishery requires all the hands that can be spared. Trees cannot be made to grow upon them, and of consequence there is no wood.

The number of inhabitants does not exceed 3000; and they are in general well made, with fair complexions, and their whiteness is very seldom impaired by the influence of the sun. They are not deficient in understanding; and although phlegmatic, yet they are benevolent and hospitable, and are seldom known to quarrel. They are fond of brandy, and yet it is said that they are very rarely seen in a state of intoxication. They are frugal and upright, yet extremely credulous, and much addicted to superstitious practices. There are no schools among them, as parents educate their own children, and their knowledge of consequence is very circumscribed. They abound in skilful players at chess, but are wholly unacquainted with instruments of music, and dance to the sound of the voice.