The only tree growing in Spitzbergen is the dwarf willow, which rises to the vast height of two inches! towering with great pride above the mosses, lichens, and a few other cumbent plants."

[…] Their features are strongly marked, and their bodies are very fleshy, and cumbrous: they have a high colour in their cheeks, and the complexion is fair enough[…]

To yive a man so litel thing / It were unworschipe in a king.

“Swear down. He's found religion. Well, that's what I've heard anyway.”