BEAR AND LYNX HUNTING, ETC. 187 
against me. At times, indeed, in the Hardanger 
mountains I have found fresh tracks on the open field 
in June and July, and no doubt bears are seen occa- 
sionally during the summer. Still, as a rule, they 
generally keep to the thick forest at that time of the 
year; and, as I have said, the chances are enormously 
large against one’s getting even a glimpse of them. 
No doubt, on the other hand, a good bear-dog would 
diminish these chances; but these are not so often to 
be found when wanted.” 
A large proportion of bears are annually killed by a 
sort of “infernal machine,” 7.¢, a trap formed by 
several gun barrels pointed towards the carcase of a cow, 
and so arranged that they will all go off when a wire is 
touched. A gentleman whom I know very nearly met 
with the fate intended for the bear he was in pursuit of, 
from one of these machines. It seems that, according 
to law, no trap can be set until public notice thereof has 
previously been given at the parish church. But un- 
luckily on this occasion his guide had not been sufii- 
ciently attentive to his religious duties, and therefore 
knew nothing about it. | 
I am not aware whether the Swedes adopt a plan 
for trapping bears which is very common in North 
America, ‘‘Several trunks of trees are tied together 
(and made heavier by stones being laid on them), and 
set in a slanting position, so that when the bear pulls 
