Natural History of East FinmarJc. B45 



length from Lake Eiicara is the boundary between Norway 

 and Russia. A mile or so above Elvenes, however, the 

 Russian boundary crosses the Pasvik, in order to take in a 

 very ancient and highly prized chapel of Boiis Glob, which 

 Russia insisted on possessing. By the kind invitation of 

 Madame Prebensen, the wife of the Amtmand ( = a sort of 

 Lord Lieutenant, but with much more extended powers), wiio 

 was staying at Elvenes, I accompanied her to Boris Grleb, 

 where we were most hospitably entertained by the Russian 

 priest. The little old chapel, now no longer used, with the 

 ancient vestments preserved in it, is very interesting. The 

 inhabitants of the little village are Lapps, who belong to the 

 old Greek Church *, and retain many curious old customs. 

 They do not smoke ; they will not eat or drink out of any 

 vessel which has been used by those not of their peculiar 

 faith. Formerly there were castrati among them for the 

 Kingdom of God's sake ; but this rite is no longer practised, 

 unless secretly, since it has been forbidden by the government. 

 The priest does not, of course, share these old superstitions 

 and views. 



The population of East Finmark embraces a mixture of 

 Norwegians, Fins, and Lapps. 



The Fins or Quains are as tall as Norwegians, and well- 

 made men. They have usually little or no hair on the chin 

 or cheeks, and but slight moustache ; the hair is light or 

 brown, less often dark, the cheek-bones usually high, and the 

 eyes mostly of a cold blue colour. 



The Lapps are short, and their average height not more 

 perhaps than 5 feet. There are three sections of them : — 



(a) Mountain or Nomadic Lapps. These are the purest 

 breed. They are characterized usually by broad faces and 

 dark hair, and are very commonly bow-legged. They live in 

 tents, or, in winter, in temporarily constructed huts — wan- 

 dering from place to place, in order to procure the reindeer- 

 moss or other food for their herds of reindeer. Their clothes 

 arc chiefly made from the skins of those animals. 



[h) River Lapps. These reside in the river- valleys of the 

 extreme north. They are agriculturists, cultivating the land 

 and having their cattle and sheep, and also feeding on the 

 salmon in which the rivers (e. ^., Tana) abound. The only 

 reindeer they have are for use in sledging. 



(c) Sea Lapps. These reside on the coast and fish in the 



* All Lapps in Russia belong to the Greek Cluirch ; but those who 

 live in the Swedish und Norwegian parts of what used to be called 

 Lapland are Lutheia. s. 



