'Ltplard. 



Manners 

 and mod* 

 f lift. 



596 LAPLAND. 



time, or takes the opportunity to fire a second shot, 

 which usually proves effectual. At other times, when 

 he has discovered the winter retreat of the bear, he co- 

 vers the entrance of the den with branches, interweav- 

 ing them so thoroughly, as to leave only a sufficient 

 pace for the animal to thrust out his head. Armed 

 with his hatchet, he proceeds to rouse and irritate the 

 sleeping inhabitant, who generally advances in the ut. 

 most rage to the opening among the branches ; but, as 

 soon as he pushes forth his head, the hunter levels a 

 blow with the axe, which rarely fails, if it strike him 

 below the eyes, to fell him to the ground. They form 

 canoes of thin planks, fastened together by means of 

 cords, which are so light as to be easily carried on the 



back ; and which they guide with surprising dexterity 

 in the most rapid currents. 



The maritime Laplanders, are principally employ- 

 ed in fishing, and particularly during the summer .sea- 

 son, when the Russian vessels are stationed on the 

 coast, pursuing the same object, and purchasing the 

 fish of the natives. At this busy period, they often lie 

 out at sea in their boats for many weeks ; and, by the 

 disposal of their fish, procure meal for their support in 

 winter. Their condition is, however, very inferior to 

 that of the mountain or field Laplanders ; and they are 

 always eager to exchange their boats and earnings, for 

 the greater freedom and better living of their pastoral 

 neighbours. Their fish, train oil, and meal, is counted 

 wretched poverty in comparison with the fat broth and 

 full repasts of rein-deer flesh enjoyed by the moun- 

 taineers. It is only when they are forced by necessi- 

 ty, in consequence of the deficiency of their herds, that 

 they betake themselves to the watery element in quest 

 of that sustenance which they can no longer find among 

 the mountains. With three hundred of these animals, 

 they would be in a state of moderate prosperity ; bul 

 would live very miserably on the produce of one hun- 

 dred. From their predilection for the pastoral life, 

 they rarely apply themselves to improve the benefits 

 of the more stationary residence, which they might 

 have on the coast. Their huts, or gammes, are only 

 calculated for a few months duration ; and are changed 

 at least twice, and sometimes three times in the year, for 

 the sake of procuring pasturage for the few rein-deer, or 

 milk cows, in their possession Some of these dwellings, 

 which were seen by Baron Von Buch on the coast, were 

 little calculated either for shelter or accommodation. 

 They were not more than eight feet in diameter, and 

 four in height, nearly resembling a baker's oven, with 

 a square hole in the middle to serve as window and 

 chimney. They were constructed of branches, and co- 

 vered on the outside with grass, but so carelessly put 

 on as to admit the wind in every direction. In these, 

 during the absence of the men at sea, are crowded toge- 

 ther as one family, a mother, daughter, daughter-in- 

 law, and servant maids ; but even in the little circle 

 which they occupy, all confusion is prevented, by an 

 exact allotment to each of their own space and side of 

 the dwelling. A great part of the Swedish Lapland- 

 ers in Kemi Lappraar,k, and especially in the Forsam- 

 ling of Enare, live principally by fishing, like those on 

 the coast ; and possess few rein-deer, but generally have 

 ten or a dozen sheep. In summer, they subsist on fish 

 Irom the lakes, and drink, as a luxurious draught, the 

 water in which their fish has been boiled. In winter, their 

 diet consists ot'dried fish, and soups made of water, fir 

 bark, and rein-deer tallow, with a little ewe milk, and 

 a few mountain bramble berries. In the lakes and 

 larger rivers, they take the salmon by means of nets, 



or by striking with the spear. This latter mode is. LaplanJ. 

 practised chiefly during the night by means of lights or ;"~'~~* 

 fires, and is described as singularly picturesque. On ' f"" r ? 

 the front of the boat, is an iron basket or grate fasten- of lift 

 ed to the end of a long crooked stick, so that^the burn- 

 ing wood which it contains stands far above the boat. 

 Immediately behind the fire stands the fisher with his 

 trident, which is a long spear, with five or six strong 

 barbed points ; and behind him sits the pilot, who 

 moves the boat along with gentle and imperceptible 

 strokes. The salmon is attracted by the blaze of the 

 fire, and, raising himself slowly to the surface of the 

 water, comes within reach of the spear. The silence 

 of the moving boats, the crossing of the fires as they 



advance in different directions, the immdveable figures 

 of the fishers hanging forward over the prow in readi- 

 ness for the blow, and the sudden animation imparted 

 to these seeming statues when the salmon is struck, 

 render these fishing scenes peculiarly interesting to 

 the eye of a spectator. The dexterity with which the 

 Laplanders guide their boats down the most rapid falls 

 in the rivers, is not less remarkable, and presents a 

 spectacle as sublime as the last mentioned is beautiful. 

 This, however,must be given in the words of an eye wit- 

 ness. Baron Von Buch thus describes his passage through 

 the fall of Eianpaika, below Muonianiska. " I heard 

 the noise of the fall long before we approached it, while 

 the river still glided on smoothly. Then followed se- 

 veral falls, which were not high nor long, but the stream 

 became rough and agitated. Rocks began now to rise 

 along both sides, and points to appear above the sur- 

 face. The agitated water presses through between the 

 closely approaching rocks. The waves began to rear 

 themselves up, to foam, and dash over. They drove 

 the boat with incredible rapidity down the abyss ; they 

 dash over in the most wild and alarming commotion : the 

 sky, rocks, a-.d woods, all disappear ; and nothing is 

 seen or heard but the foam and roaring of the water. 

 The wave dashes the boat with one sweep against the 

 rock ; but the bold pilot guides it with a strong and 

 steady hand with still greater rapidity than the wave, 

 as if in sport, from one side to the other ; and the next 

 moment it is again floating on the no longer agitated 

 current. The two men in the fore part of the boat, 

 have a most frightful appearance. Their fixed look ; 

 their eyes, which seem to start from their sockets, en- 

 deavour to read every thought of the pilot, whether 

 they ought to row in the fall more rapidly or more 

 slowly. Their own preservation depends on their cor- 

 rect understanding of the thoughts of the pilot. Every 

 muscle is stretched in the highest degree, and the arms 

 only are in motion." The boats are as strong as sea 

 boats, and their huge helms seem made for large ships. 

 In this way, the natives proceed down to Torneo with 

 large burdens of butter, tea, fish, and hides ; and drag 

 the boat with incredible, labour along. the bank, -when 

 they come to the fall in ascending the stream. 



The Laplanders discover considerable ingenuity in Manual 

 making the various utensils which they possess. Their arts and 

 sledges and canoes are so artificially put together, that 

 not a drop of water is able to penetrate their sides. turcs> 

 From the wood of the birch tree, they form vessels 

 of various capacities, from an ordinary drinking cup, 

 to casks for holding the milk of the rein-deer. From 

 the horn- of the rein-deer, they manufacture spoons in 

 a very neat manner, which they stain with figures toler- 

 ably well designed. With no other instrument than a 

 knife, they also carve their bowls and spoons with won- 

 derful expertness. The steel of these knives they ma* 



