170 A SPRING AND SUMMER IN LAPLAND. 



attacks of mosquitoes. He says that any chemist 

 could, as the doctors have it, make up the turpen- 

 tine into an elegant formula in the shape of an 

 ointment, which could be easily spread over the 

 face and hands. I shall certainly give this a trial 

 next year. However, as I have ever during my 

 wanderings consoled myself with this reflection, 

 that where one man can live another can ; and, 

 moreover, as I had already stood the attacks of the 

 mosquitoes for a fewyears in the Australian swamps, 

 I made up my mind to chance it ; and all I can say 

 is, that although just before rain I have been much 

 annoyed by them, I never was once prevented 

 from shooting, and I used neither gloves, veil, 

 tar, or any other preventive. It was true that 

 the summer of 1862 was cold and windy, and all 

 said that there were fewer mosquitoes than usual ; 

 and another thing, — although very rapacious, I 

 fancy your mosquito is a dainty feeder, and all 

 flesh does not suit its taste, for they seldom 

 trouble me much; whereas my lad, who was a 

 juicy young red-faced peasant, used to complain 

 dreadfully, and as he was out much more than 

 myself he had far more experience. The worst is at 

 night. It is not so much their bite as their horrid 

 buzz which annoys me, and I never can tell from 

 what quarter it is coming. You must be very 

 careful never to leave windows or doors open 



