

SINGULAR SUPERSTITION. 97 



for the fox, and is not baited in any way, 'being merely 

 placed in the runs of the hare, and afterwards well covered 

 with snow. 



More hares, however, are probably killed with the assist- 

 ance of dogs, than in any other way. Har-jagt, or hare- 

 hunting (in so far as field sports are concerned), is, in fact, 

 the popular amusement of the country. Several individuals 

 frequently take part in the Chasse, which, from the difficult 

 nature of the ground, is always conducted on foot. As it 

 seldom happens that more than two or three Stqfvare as 

 dogs used for hare-hunting are called are slipped at a time, 

 all sorts of discordant noises are made to assist in starting 

 Puss. Guns or pistols are frequently discharged, and I have 

 seen watchmen's rattles, and even a huge drum, brought into 

 play on these occasions. When the hare is once on foot, the 

 party separate, and each man stations himself in paths and 

 other places where it is probable she may come ; and thus 

 waylaid, the poor animal is pretty sure to meet her doom. 



The hare, as soon as killed, is disembowelled, and its head, 

 with the exception of the ears, which remain attached to the 

 skin, is severed from the body. The only reason I could ever 

 hear alleged for this very strange custom, which is usually 

 adopted throughout Sweden, is, that if a woman in a state 

 of pregnancy, was to see the head of the animal, her off 

 spring would inevitably have a hare-lip ! 





VOL. II. H 



