THE NORTH SWEDISH PROVINCES 151 



iron. I examined a cave formed by nature in a very 

 hard rocky mountain, formerly a retreat of a criminal 

 who had concealed himself for two years in this retired 

 cavern. The roof and sides of this cave, near the 

 entrance, were clothed with Byssus cryptarum. Every- 

 where near the road lay spar full of talc, or Muscovy 

 glass glittering in the sun. Now we take leave of 

 Medelpad and its sandy roads, as well as its yellow 

 aconite, both of which it possesses in common with 

 Helsingland. 



'ANGERMANLAND. 



1 We no sooner enter this district than we meet 

 with steep and lofty hills scarcely to be descended with 

 safety on horseback. 1 In the heart of the Angerman- 

 nian forest trees with deciduous leaves, the silver birch, 

 Betula alba (with densely matted branches) and the 

 hoary-leaved alder (Betula incana) abound equally with 

 the common and spruce firs. These hills might with 

 great advantage be cleared of their wood, for a good 

 soil remains wherever the trees are burnt down not 

 barren stones as in Helsingland and Medelpad. The 

 valleys between the mountains, as in those countries, 

 are cultivated with corn or laid out in meadows ; but 

 here are spacious plains besides. Every house has near 



1 On the coast south of Ornskoldsvik the scenery increases in 

 beauty, and as far as Sundsvall the coast is the highest in Sweden. 

 Numerous islands dot the sea along the shore, the principal ones 

 being North and South Ulfo, inhabited by a few hundred fishermen. 

 Du CHAILLU. 



