FISH, EEPTILES, AND INSECTS OE LAPLAND. 171 



here in tlie summer, and must even stop up the 

 chimney, for they will find their way into a room 

 through the smallest aperture. But the mosquito 

 is not entirely confined to Lapland, for I recollect 

 this very summer sleeping in a house by the banks 

 of the Venern, in South Wermland, Sweden. I 

 had been hard wading for ducks all day, and being 

 very tired, turned in early, while it was yet light. 

 When I went into my room there were, I am sure, 

 more than a thousand mosquitoes flying up and 

 down the window panes, and their music was so 

 loud that, tired as I was, there was no chance of 

 sleeping. I could not open the window, so I lit 

 my pipe and crept quietly to bed, and for about 

 an hour lay in a constant state of anxiety watching 

 them, dreading that one might find me out and 

 bring the whole mob down upon me. They evi- 

 dently partly " winded" me, for occasionally one 

 would come piping half way across the room in 

 the direction of my bed. However, tliey never 

 seemed quite to be able to get on the scent, and 

 as soon as it was dark they all became quiet. 

 Mosquitoes are certainly not pleasant companions, 

 either out of doors or in bed ; but I take it that a 

 good deal of exaggeration lias been used as 

 regards their numbers and annoyance. And I 

 do not believe that any one need be frightened to 

 visit Lapland on their account. 



