500 THE VARG-KROK. 



destruction of wild beasts, it is always desirable to run a 

 Slap, consisting of a roasted cat, or some such savoury morsel, 

 about the surrounding country, and thence to the immediate 

 vicinity of the trap, thereby to draw the wolves towards 

 the spot. 



Wolves are also frequently captured by means of the 

 Varg-krok, or wolf-hook, gillrad in a similar manner to 

 that for the fox, of which mention is made in the chapter 

 treating of that animal. At times, also, as regards Lapland 

 at least, the wolf is taken by means of snares, of which 

 more hereafter. 



Though many and various be the devices adopted in 

 Scandinavia for the destruction of the wolf and other noxious 

 animals, none exceed in ingenuity the employment of 

 Knall-silfver, or fulminating-powder. This deadly prepa- 

 ration, after being duly protected from injury, is carefully 

 introduced into the leg or thigh bone of a fresh-killed calf 

 or sheep, from which the marrow has been first extracted. 

 Afterwards the bone is placed in a part of the forest where 

 the wolf is known to haunt, and when the beast begins to 

 gnaw it, an instant explosion takes place, and his head, as a 

 consequence, is blown to atoms ! 



More wolves, however, are probably destroyed by poison 

 than by any other means. Arsenic is that in most general 

 use; but from its causing almost immediate sickness, and 

 from wolves and foxes being often able to throw it up again, 

 many give the preference to nux-vomica called in Sweden 

 Raf-kaka, or fox-cake which is without smell, and does not 

 provoke vomiting ; it has the disadvantage of a bitter taste, 

 however, which doubtless prevents many animals from par- 



