70 mV. LAPLAXD y\LPS, 



tlicm, consisting of various ulcnsils, and 

 silver coin, which they place on a reindeer 

 skin, spread in the hut, before the father 

 and mother of the intended bride. The 

 father or the moth.er of the bridegroom 

 then distributes the money between the 

 young woman and her parents. If the sum 

 be thought too small, the latter ask for 

 more, and it frequently happens that much 

 time is spent in bargaining, before they 

 can come to a conclusion. When the par- 

 ties concerned cannot obtain so large a sum 

 as they think themselves entitled to, they 

 often reject the whole, and return the 

 money to those who brought it. But if, 

 on the contrary, matters are brought to a 

 favourable conclusion, die parents allow 

 their daughter to be sent for. Two of the 

 bridegroom's relations undertake this office. 

 If the bride has any confidential female 

 friend, or a sister, they walk arm and arm 

 together; and in this case the mother of 

 the bridegroom *is required to make a pre- 



