106 LAPLAND. 



door is of felt, made like two curtains which open asunder/ A little 

 place surrounded with stones is made in the middle of the hut for 

 the fire, over which a chain is suspended to hang the kettle upon. 

 They are scarcely able to stand upright in their huts, but constantly 

 sit upon their heels round the fire. At night they lie down quite na- 

 ked ; and, to separate the apartments, place upright sticks at small 

 distances. They cover themselves with their clothes, or lie upon 

 them. In winter they put their naked feet into a fur bag. Their* 

 household furniture consists of iron or copper kettles, wooden cups, 

 bowls, spoons, and sometimes tin or even silver basons ; to which may 

 be added the implements of fishing and hunting. That they may not 

 be obliged to carry such a number of things with them in their ex- 

 cursions, they build in the forests, at certain distances, little huts, 

 made like pigeon houses, and placed upon the trunk of a tree, cut off 

 at the height of about six feet from the root. In these elevated huts 

 they keep their goods and provisions ; and though they are never 

 shut, yet they are never plundered. The rein-deer supply the Lap- 

 landers with the greatest part of their provisions : the chase and the 

 fishery supply the rest. Their principal dishes are the flesh of the 

 rein-deer, and puddings which they make of their blood, by putting 

 It, either alone or mixed with wild berries, into the stomach of the 

 animal from whence it was taken, in which they cook it for food. But 

 the flesh of the bear is considered by them as their most delicate 

 "■■neat. They eat every kind of fish, even the sea-dog ; as well as all 

 kinds of wild animals, not excepting birds of prey and carnivorous 

 animals. Their winter, provisions consist chiefly of flesh and fish 

 dried in the open air, both of which they eat raw, without any sort of 

 dressing. Their common drink is water, sometimes mixed with 

 milk. They make also broths and fish-soups. Brandy is very scarce 

 "with them, but they are extremely fond of it. Whenever they are 

 inclined to eat, the head of the family spreads a carpet on the ground ; 

 and the men and women squat round this mat, which is covered with 

 dishes. Every Laplander always carries about him a knife, a spoon, 

 •and a little cup for drinking. Each has his portion separately given 

 him, that no person may be injured ; for they are great eaters. Before 

 and after the meal they make a short prayer ; and as soon as they 

 have donceating, each gives the other his hand. 



In their dress the Laplanders use no kind of linen. The men wear 

 close breeches, reaching down to their shoes, which are made of un- 

 manned skin, pointed, and turned up before ; and in winter they put 

 a little hay in them. Their doublet is made to fit their shape, and 

 open at the breast. Over this they wear a close coat with narrow 

 sleeves, the skirts of which reach down to the knees, and which is 

 fastened round them by a leathern girdle, ornamented with plates of 

 tin or brass. To this girdle they tie their knives, their instruments 

 for making fire, their pipes, and the rest of their smoking appara'- 

 tus. Their clothes are made of fur, of leather, or of cloth ; the close 

 coat, of cloth or leather, always bordei'ed with fur, or bindings of 

 cloth of different colours. Their caps are edged with fur, pointed at 

 top, and the four seams adorned with lists of a different colour from 

 that of the cap. The women wear breeches, shoes, doublets, and 

 close coats, in the same manner as the men ; but their girdle, at 

 which they carry likewise the implements for smoking tobacco, is 

 commonly embroidered with brass wire. Their close coat has a col- 

 lar, which comes up somewhat higher than that of the men. Besides 



