io6 THROUGH THE FIELDS WITH LINNAEUS 



mentioned in history in 1280 ; but the present building 

 does not really date before the Renaissance, although the 

 natives claim for it a high antiquity. It is an extensive 

 piece of domestic architecture built upon an arched and 

 fortified terrace. 1 There is also an outer rampart of turf, 

 and a lower terrace, also with bastions. It has not the 

 artistic character of the feudal castle. One sees the ogee 

 moulding, always a sign of late date, in the string course 

 of the cornice, and in the pedestal a string course of 

 rounded stone. Its ground plan is extensive, and the 

 towers are named after different kings and queens of 

 Sweden ; but I should say it was all built at the same date 

 from the one plan. Crowning the brow of its hill, it is 

 an ornament to the generally low island ; but it has little 

 architectural interest. It commands a fine view of the 

 island and the mainland of East Gothland, One plainly 

 sees the external plastering, or stuccoing, which is never 

 seen on fine buildings of early date. I dare say it is its 

 being built of the soft rotten stone of Oland that makes 

 the castle so ruinous : as Linnaeus says, 2 'the philosopher 

 will find room to exercise his ingenuity in the Oland 

 stone, by trying how to overcome its moist nature and 

 quality ; which whosoever could accomplish would do 

 no small service to his country, and infinitely oblige 

 all the inhabitants of that place.' 



Carl Gustav, 3 successor of Christina, loved Oland, 



1 Though fortified, it is not a military fortress, but a dwelling- 

 house. 



2 Oration on the necessity of travel in one's own country. 



3 Charles X. 



