HABITS OF THE GLUTTON. 65 



dered hare's flesli to cure the rheumatism ; it is just 

 possible that faith in the agent applied may accom- 

 plish the desired effect. In Norway it is supposed 

 that a fillet of glutton's claws, worn round the head, 

 has the effect of dispelling vapours and giddiness ; and 

 that an ointment made from the grease of this animal 

 is a certain cure for cutaneous eruptions. The fur of 

 this gluttonous creature is so thick, fine, and smooth, 

 that its grease is as much esteemed as " thine incom- 

 parable oil, Macassar." 



The glutton is called by various names in Norway. 

 The most common is viel-fras, the word viel being no 

 doubt a corruption of fjeld, so called because, the ani- 

 mal frequents the mountains. It is called kola in the 

 Throndjem Stift, and also j erven, erven, and gierv, in 

 different parts of Norway. 



Like the lynx, the glutton is not gregarious; but 

 pairs, and the male and female keep close together ; 

 should the male be killed, the female is certain to be 

 found somewhere near. It is also as active and expert 

 as the lynx, and its long and sharp claws enable it to 

 climb trees with facility. 



The glutton is thoroughly detested in Norwegian 

 Lapland, for it is as destructive as the lynx among the 

 Lapps' tame reindeer. The Lapps, however, have va- 

 rious ways of circumventing and destroying the animal, 

 and the following is a common method of deceiving its 

 suspicious nature : When the tent is pitched on the 

 spot where the Lapp intends to remain for some time 

 with his family and reindeer, he sets up a high table, 

 which he fixes in the ground. This table is made of 

 the dried branches of the birch, and on it the Lapp 

 places at night his reindeer venison, and other pro- 



