60 
face, he saw the Professor approach ; and although he | 
had never before met him, he addressed him cerrectly at 
once. He brought Du Chaillu to the neighbouring par- 
sonage ; food was soon before him, and a hearty welcome. 
We incidentally learn that several of the illustrations 
of Lapland which accompany this narrative are from 
original photographs taken by the talented wife of the 
Baron. 
A Laplander’s encampment would not seem to be a 
savoury place. A Lapp tent at its base is scarcely 
more than eight feet in diameter; it is very portable. 
The frame is composed of poles fitting into each other, | 
easily put together, and so strong and well knit tkat they | 
can resist the pressure of the heaviest storm. A cross- 
pole high up sustains an iron chain, at the end of which | 
is a hook to hold kettles. Over the frame is drawn a/| 
cloth of coarse wool called “ vadmal,’”’ made by the Lap- 
landers, who never use skins; this is composed of two) 
pieces, and is made fast by strings and pins, and well 
Vii 
NATURE 
[NMov. 17, 1881 
secured. A small door of canvas is suspended over the 
entrance. Such a tent will last more than twenty years. 
Some idea of its form can be obtained from the accom- 
panying illustration. Such tents, when removed in winter, 
are drawn by reindeer in sledges, but in summer they 
have to be carried on the backs of the reindeer. Hence 
the moving of a Lapp encampment in summer is a very 
much more difficult undertaking than in winter. 
The chapter on the vegetation within the Arctic circle 
is disappointingly short. There for some weeks there is 
little interruption to vegetation. What in these countries 
of midnight darkness can only be attempted by the aid 
of a brilliant electric light, is in those countries of mid- 
night light brought about in a less artificial way. Rye 
planted at the middle of June was seven or eight feet 
high early in August, growing after first germination at 
the rate of three inches a day. The barley at Niavi was 
ready for the harvest six or seven weeks after being sown. 
Agricultural schools were met with all through Norway and 
A Lapp Tent. 
Sweden. These schools seem already to have been of | 
enormous value to the country, raising the standard of | 
agriculture and keeping the students up with the march | 
of progress. 
A second visit to Lapland—this time in midwinter—is | 
described in Volume IJ. Entering a forest after a long | 
drive, the author found himself suddenly in the midst of 
a number of holes several feet deep, dug by reindeer. 
Several thousand reindeer had evidently been at work. 
The snow was not very deep—not over four feet. Under | 
that cover was buried the moss of which the reindeer is 
so fond. All except the younger ones were busy digging, 
first with one fore-foot, then with the other, the holes 
gradually becoming larger and larger, and the bodies of 
the animals more and more hidden. They would never | 
stop excavating till they had reached the moss. Wherever 
one turned their eyes the reindeer were doing the same 
work, for they were evidently hungry. Their number 
seemed countless. Some had dug these holes so deep 
| weeks: 
that nothing save the tails of the reindeer could be seen 
swaying to and fro outside of them. 
The following extract, referring to the tame reindeer, 
will be read with interest :— 
“Late in April and early in May is the reindeers’ 
calving season; the period of gestation is thirty-three 
the little cnes are either carried or put into a 
sleigh. When the reindeer cows call for their young they 
utter a peculiar grunt, which is answered by the calves. 
Many of the animals had already dropped their herns. 
| The large ones resembled those of stags, but they are 
smaller: the reindeer is clumsier than the deer, with 
stouter limbs, shorter head, and a larger and wider 
| muzzle, more like that of a cow; the hoofs are broader 
and much larger. The hair is grey, very coarse and 
thick, especially in winter, and sometimes two inches in 
| length ; the colour is much darker on the back, and 
almost white under the belly ; the young are lighter-lined 
than the adults. The colour often varies considerably 
— 
