14 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



Dinner and supper time came and passed, but the 

 farmer did not put in an appearance at home. " Oh !" 

 said the wife, " Peder has gone to the town to buy 

 something." When, however, the next day passed, 

 and no Peder appeared, the family became alarmed, 

 and the man^s younger brother went in search of him. 

 In due time he arrived also at the mouth of the pitfall. 

 Finding his brother in the trap, his first thought was 

 to stretch down his hand and drag the captured man 

 out by main force. The weight was, however, too 

 great, and, overbalancing himself, the second farmer 

 fell into the pit. This was an awkward predicament, 

 especially when it was discovered that a lynx was a 

 companion of their captivity. But this animal is by 

 nature a coward, and, when captured in the way I 

 have described, it will sneak into a corner, whence it 

 will not budge unless driven out by dogs or a long 

 pole. At first the men thought of attacking the lynx, 

 but they soon gave up the intention ; they felt, in fact, 

 some pity for the poor brute that was shivering near 

 them. They had, also, quite enough to do in puzzling 

 their brains in order to hit upon some expedient by 

 which they might escape from their prison. The fates 

 were unpropitious, and they remained in durance vile 

 for two days and two nights, when they were found by 

 their friends and released. They also very good- 

 naturedly set the lynx at liberty as well. 



The flesh of the lynx is eaten in Norway, and is not 

 considered unpalatable. It is by no means tender, 

 but resembles in flavour the flesh of a tough old 

 goat. 



The Norwegian peasants believe that if a person 

 wears a necklace made of the fore-claws of a lynx, it 



