2-74 NATURAL APPEAKANCES 



The only vegetables which now flourish are the 

 numerous tribes of mosses, and the lichens, or liver 

 worts. Lichens cover the ditch banks, and other 

 neglected spots, with a leather-like substance, which 

 in some countries serves as food both to men and 

 cattle The rein-deer lichen is the greatest treasure 

 to the poor Laplanders, who depend upon it for the 

 support of their only species of domestic cattle dur- 

 ing their tedious winters. 



On the 21st of December happens the shortest 

 day ; when the sun is not quite eight hours above 

 the horizon in these islands. About fifteen degrees to 

 the northward the sun does not rise at all, and a con- 

 tinued night lasts weeks or months, according to the 

 distance from the north pole. But, on the contrary, 

 to the countries near the south pole, it is at this peri- 

 od perpetual day ; and every where to the south of 

 the eqnatov it is summer. A.s our summer advances, 

 their winter approaches. 



The festival of Christmas seasonably cheers this 

 comfortless period. Great preparations were made 

 for it in the country, and plenty of rustic dainties 

 provided for its celebration, according to the rules of 

 ancient hospitality ; and 



. .. " Frequent in the sounding hall they wake 

 The rural gambol." 



Thus the old year steals away unlamented, and 

 scarcely perceived; and a new one begins with 



