62 



CHAPTEE VIII. 



The Glutton in Norway. Where Found. Its Voracious Appetite. 

 Ancient Writers concerning the G-lutton. Its Description. Its Skin. 

 Superstition of Norwegian Peasants. Quackery in Norway. The 

 Glutton in Lapland. Lapp Method of Deceiving the Glutton. Food 

 of the Glutton. Its Offspring. The Hedgehog in Norway. How 

 the Hedgehog gets rid of the Bear. 



THE glutton or wolverine (Mustela gulo) is common in 

 the northern and central parts of Norway, especially 

 in the Throndjem and Bergen Stifts. It is found in 

 the Dovre-fjeld and other mountains frequented by the 

 reindeer. It is but seldom seen in the woods and 

 forests, for its favourite resort is in the highest moun- 

 tains. 



The glutton is carnivorous, and, like the wolf and 

 lynx, destroys much more than it can eat ; it does not, 

 however, leave behind it what it cannot eat at one time, 

 but conceals it in a secure place for an emergency. As 

 its name implies, it is a voracious eater ; it is always 

 hungry, and is always ready to begin again after a 

 hearty meal, while it is said to possess the power of 

 disgorging its food, so that it is able to eat, and eat, 

 and eat again. 



