There are ruins of a castle and an old decayed church, which contains some fine Norman work.
But when, in consequence of the Arab invasion, the monasticism of those countries was cut off from intercourse with the rest of Christendom, it decayed.
The trees for a considerable period show little sign of unhealthiness, but eventually the stem begins to swell somewhat near the root, and the whole tree gradually goes off as the disease advances; when cut down, the trunk is found to be decayed at the centre, the " rot " usually commencing near the ground.
In the early years of the 20th century the town was much decayed, numerous ruins of castles, palaces and churches indicating its former importance.
A former trade in oil and sealskin has decayed, owing to the smaller number of whales and seals remaining about the islands.
