WASTGOTA RESA ROUND LAKE VENERN 195 



The short turf on the smooth glacier-worn rocks is 

 tufted with thrift ; but florists' flowers, and even trees, 

 grow well in sheltered places ; and a few fruits, such as 

 small gooseberries, likewise the yellow ribes in the gar- 

 dens, and black pansies on the tombs of the Mollens, 

 working benefactors of Lysekil. 



Away to the wilder parts again, where life is harder ; 

 where the rocks, in lieu of flowers, are covered with 

 the Klipfisk, cod split open and spread there to dry ; 

 where the harvest preparations and the ingathering 

 are all of a briny sort ; where tan-sailed boats are the 

 only vehicles. 



Above them hovered the tern, and the seagull swept past 

 them on silvery pinions. 



But for the long sea-trip to get at it this coast 

 would become the marine playground of Europe. Lin- 

 ngeus was captivated by the natural history of this coast 

 possessed by quite a childish delight. It was hard to 

 leave it all and sail up the fiord to Uddevalla, turning 

 his back unwillingly, soon after quitting Marstrand, 

 upon the vast creation still moving unrevealed and 

 undescribed. 



He calls Uddevalla a biggish town ; and though he 

 mentions the English sheep, the tobacco, and tea (?) as of 

 possible commercial importance, what he always thinks 

 of most are the indigenous ' marvels of the province.' 

 Uddevalla is now a busy, thriving place of 6,000 souls, 

 all pushing (politely) to get on. 



Linnaeus stayed here through July 19, looking up 



o 2 



