TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 



141 



continued. 



4. The distinction of Lapps living in fixed habitations and nomadic, is not strictly 

 but merely approximately correct. The account for the parish of Grogn shows that 

 some of those Lapps, who are considered as undoubtedly nomadic, because they wander 

 ■with their flocks of reindeer, yet rent lands and habitations. This tendency to prefer 

 fixed abodes will of course be increasing. The classification given of the social con- 

 dition of the Lapps with fixed habitations, shows that their ways of living are like those 

 of the Norwegian peasantry ; that interesting portion of them who are put down as 

 settlers in waste lands, are proprietors of their cleared and claimed lands. 



5. Between the census of 1845 and 1855, the parish of Maulselven has been esta- 

 blished. Finmark proper was divided in three parishes, Kistrand, Lebesby, and 

 Vadso. It now forms eight subdivisions. To judge of the fluctuation of its popula- 

 tion, these last eight districts of the Table must then be joined together, and will give, — 



1845. 1855. 



Lapps in fixed habitations 2683 2985 



Nomadic 1235 1325 



Total 3918 4383 



Finns 743 1272 



6. In the census of 1845 no account was taken of the mixed races. They were 

 most probably by the enumerating oflicers included among the Norwegians, In the 

 census of 1 855, only those are noted down as mixed whose father or mother was a 

 pure Lapp or Finn, the further offspring being considered as Norwegian. 



When it is observed that the Lapps and Finns keep up their numbers, or even in- 

 crease considerably, in spite of this loss by absorption, it -will be perceived that their 

 population is a great deal progressing. 



It will be observed that this intermixture is next to nothing in the southern 

 districts, where the Lapps are few, and of course looked upon with an idea of strange- 

 ness, if not contempt ; but that it is considerable where they constitute a number in 

 the parish, almost equalling that of the Norwegians. The intermixture is stated to 

 be chiefly owing to legitimate marriages. 



