NORWEGIAN LAPLAND. 333 



8. All the Laplanders are of a small 

 stature. I have never jet met with any of 

 them so tall as myself. A large heavy 

 body cannot move so nimbly as a small 

 one, even though its organs are proportion- 

 ably stronger and more durable. This is 

 apparent in many similar cases. A little 

 pony from the isle of Oeland, or one of a 

 similar kind from Norway, runs with ex- 

 treme velocity ; for though a great trooper's 

 horse may get before it, the little animal 

 moves its legs with astonishing rapidity, 

 and much quicker than the great horse. 



There is a striking difference in stature 

 between the inhabitants of Helsingland and 

 those of Lapland, nor is the reason of this 

 difference at all obscure. If we give a 

 young puppy plenty of food, he will grow 

 large ; if but little, he will turn out small. 

 If kept warm, he will also grow to a much 

 larger size than if he is always inured to 

 cold. The same remarks may be applied 

 to the people in question. 



