BEAR AND LYNX HUNTING, ETC. 187 



against me. At times, indeed, in the Hardanger 

 mountains I have found fresh tracks on the open fjeld 

 in June and July, and no doubt hears are seen occa- 

 sionally during the summer. Still, as a rule, they 

 generally keep to the thick forest at that time of the 

 year ; and, as I have said, the chances are enormously 

 large against one's getting even a glimpse of them. 

 No doubt, on the other hand, a good bear-dog would 

 diminish these chances ; but these are not so often to 

 be found when wanted." 



A large proportion of bears are annually killed by a 

 sort of " infernal machine," i. e., a trap formed by 

 several gun barrels pointed towards the carcase of a cow, 

 and so arranged that they will all go off when a wire is 

 touched. A gentleman whom I know very nearly met 

 with the fate intended for the bear he was in pursuit of, 

 from one of these machines. It seems that, according 

 to law, no trap can be set until public notice thereof has 

 previously been given at the parish church. But un- 

 luckily on this occasion his guide had not been suffi- 

 ciently attentive to his religious duties, and therefore 

 knew nothing about it. 



I am not aware whether the Swedes adopt a plan 

 for trapping bears which is very common in North 

 America. " Several trunks of trees are tied together 

 (and made heavier by stones being laid on them), and 

 set in a slanting position, so that when the bear pulls 



