[In Kerguelen's time (1768) bread was very uncommon in Iceland.

It was brought from Copenhagen, and consisted of broad thin cakes, or sea-biscuits, made of rye-flour, and extremely black .-- ED.] {32} In all high latitudes fat oily substances are consumed to a vast extent by the natives.

The desire seems to be instinctive, not acquired.
A different mode of living would undoubtedly render them more susceptible to the cold of these inclement regions.

Many interesting anecdotes are related of the fondness of these hyperborean races for a kind of food from which we would turn in disgust.

Before gas was introduced into Edinburgh, and the city was lighted by oil-lamps, several Russian noblemen visited that metropolis; and it is said that their longing for the luxury of train-oil became one evening so intense, that, unable to procure the delicacy in any other way, they emptied the oil-lamps.