64 THE NATURALIST IN NORWAY. 



glossy black streak running along the back; the legs 

 and feet are also black. The skin is much dearer than 

 that of the wolf or lynx, as, from its glossy appearance, 

 it is much more valuable. Unlike other wild animals 

 in this severe climate, its colour does not vary through- 

 out the year. 



It was once supposed in Norway that the glutton 

 was the third cub of a bear ; and as the bear commonly 

 brought forth only two cubs at a time, when she had a 

 third, it was a lusus naiur<R y which fully accounted for 

 the peculiar propensities and gluttony of the animal. 

 The Norwegian peasants are very superstitious, and 

 place much faith in the marvellous. They have im- 

 plicit confidence in the medicinal virtues of certain 

 parts of wild animals, for, in fact, quackery of any 

 kind pays well in this country. Indeed, quacks would 

 abound in Norway were it not that the government, 

 caring for the health and well-being of the people, 

 treats charlatanism with the utmost rigour. If, how- 

 ever, it pleases the worthy Norseman to believe that 

 the powdered bones, a draught of the warm blood, 

 the application of a poultice made from the minced 

 flesh, or a necklace made of the claws of a certain 

 wild animal, has a remedial effect on the human 

 frame, either by outward application or by internal 

 digestion, we can hardly blame them for their credu- 

 lity, for such notions can do very little harm, if they 

 do no good; they are not much more hurtful than 

 bread pills. It is also true that, in the cure of cer- 

 tain complaints, the imagination plays an important 

 part; and if a man wears a bear's claws round his neck 

 to stop the bleeding of his nose, the talons of a lynx to 

 ward off the cramp, or an electuary made from pow- 



