THE LAPLAND ALPS. 315 



sound sleep which is the reward and the 

 proof of their innocent Uves. There is 

 rarely any contention among them. The 

 inhabitants of the neighbouring moveable 

 village had pitched their tents close to- 

 gether in lines, either from east to west, 

 or otherwise. When my servant came in, 

 he put his nose close to that of any person 

 whom he wished to salute, as if he had 

 intended to kiss him, saluting him with the 

 old expression ^^ purist." I inquired whether 

 they actually kissed each other ; but my 

 man answered in the negative, that they 

 only put their noses together. This custom 

 is in use among relations only. 



A boy had been sent out to gather sor- 

 rel (Ilumex Acetosa), the larger kind, or 

 variety, of which he brought home enough 

 of the leaves with their stalks to fill a kettle. 

 A small quantity of water was poured upon 

 it, just sufficient to cover the bottom of 

 the kettle. It was kept stirring over the 

 fire, and allowed to boil, till the whole was 

 reduced to a pulp. This was afterwards 



