ITS CONSTRUCTION. 21? 



carrying on operations, and the captured fish, that the fisher- 

 man would otherwise be obliged to bear on his shoulder, he 

 is provided in parts of Sweden with a Met-slade, or fishing- 

 sledge, as depicted above. 



The body of this box-like vehicle, constructed of thin 

 boards, is about three feet in length, and of breadth propor- 

 tionate. The fishing tackle, &c., is stowed away within this 

 box ; but the Is-bill, being of too great length, is slung as 

 depicted, alongside. 



On uneven ground, or where the ice is covered with 

 newly-fallen snow, the fisherman draws the Met-slade by 

 means of a line fastened either to his middle, or placed over 

 his shoulders ; but if the ice is glansk, or slippery, he seats 

 himself on the vehicle, and with an iron-pointed staff in 

 each hand, impels it forwards, the rapidity of his progress 

 depending on his own address and strength of arm. 



