274 SKALLS. 



families who have lived in respectability and comfort, having 

 in a short time been reduced by this lands-pldga literally 

 land-plague, or scourge to distress and misery." 



In districts subject to be thus ravaged by wild beasts, 

 Skalls are not of infrequent occurrence. To many persons, 

 these great hunts may seem to bear somewhat hard upon 

 the peasantry and others; but until some better plan be 

 adopted to rid the country of destructive animals, Skalls are 

 perhaps a necessary evil. The principle on which they are 

 got up is at all events equitable ; for the law only compels 

 individuals who themselves possess cattle, and who of course 

 have an interest in their preservation, to turn out when occa- 

 sion requires. 



In several instances, when Skalls occurred in the province 

 where I resided, they were placed by the authorities under 

 my orders. 



This was the case during the autumn of 1836, when we 

 had three or four in Dalsland, the district recently named. 

 The present Marquis of Downshire, then on a visit with me, 

 took part in these hunts ; and Jan Finne, of whom honour- 

 able mention was made in my former work, was sent for ex- 

 pressly from Wermeland to aid us. The Messrs. Uggla of 

 Svaneholm by whom, as well as M. Waern of Baldersnas, a 

 distinguished member of the Swedish Diet, we were hospit- 

 ably entertained during their continuance also lent us their 

 personal assistance on more than one occasion. 



Though, owing to the precipitous hills and deep ravines 

 with which Dalsland abounds, the country, in one sense, is 

 unfavourable for Skalls; yet, as a set-off, there are several 

 forest-tracts, partially surrounded by extensive lakes, which 

 offer positions admirably suited to the purpose; for here 



