THE LAPLAND ALPS. 7o 



boiling, and their duty moreover is to serve 

 it round to all present. This meat is dress- 

 ed in several separate pots, two only in 

 each hut, if there be any neighbours whose 

 huts can serve to accommodate the party 

 en this occasion ; for each Laplander has 

 never more than one hut of his own. The 

 fat part of the broth is first served up in 

 basons. Afterwards various petticoats or 

 blankets, of walmal cloth, are spread on 

 the floor, by way of a table-cloth, on 

 which the boiled meat is placed. The 

 chief persons of the company then, as 

 many as can find room, take their places 

 in the hut of the bride's family, sitting 

 down round the provision, while the chil- 

 dren and inferiors are accommodated in 

 the neighbouring huts. Grace is then said. 

 The bride and bridegroom are placed near 

 together, for the most part close to the 

 door, or place of entrance. They are 

 always helped to the best of the provision. 

 The company then serve themselves, taking 

 their meat on the points of their knives. 



