792 



LAPLAND. 



with the wool inwards, and close before, except on the breast. Over this, which is worn next- 

 the sliin, is a similar garment of woolen, or skins, with a stiff collar. The Laplander has no 



Li/pland Tent. Manner of sitting in Lupland. 



pocket, but hangs a small bag at his breast, in which he puts his little implements. The gloves 

 are of skins, and lined with cypress grass. There are no stockings, and the pantaloons do not 



reach to the ankle. Instead of stockings, straw and 

 rushes are stuffed into the shoe, around the foot and 

 ankle. The men wear leathern belts. The dress of 

 the women is not very dissimilar to that of the men. 

 At night, even when the cold is most intense, the 

 mountain Laplanders go to bed naked, and cover 

 themselves with their dress and skins. They put 

 their feet within a bag. 



13. Language. The language is entirely distinc 

 from any other, except the Finnic, to which it ha 

 some analogy. 



14. Manner of Building. The Laplanders live 

 in huts, or, in summer, in tents. The huts are so 

 small, that the people cannot stand upright, except in 



the centre. They are built of sods and stone, and covered with bushes, turf, and earth. 

 The household furniture consists in iron or copper kettles, and wooden cups, bowls, and 

 spoons. Some of the wealthy have tin, and even silver basins. 



15. Food and Drink. The reindeer supplies the chief articles of food, though something 

 is obtained by fishing and hunting. In summer, the reindeer's milk is boiled with sorrel to a 

 consistence, and is thus preserved ; in winter, it is kept frozen in the paunch of a reindeer, 

 and mixed with cranberries. It is broken up with a hatchet. When cheese is made, the 

 milk is mixed with water, otherwise it is too rich to curdle. The rennet is the sound of the 

 codfish. In winter, the mountain Laplanders slaughter one or two reindeers weekly, according 

 to the numbers of a family. The marrow is boiled out as a present for the missionary. On 

 the seacoast, there is some beef and mutton ; besides which, the Laplanders eat all flesh, 

 except that of swine ; but pork is to them an abomination. Little bread is used ; but the 

 mner bark of the fir-tree, and the roots and leaves of the herb angelica, are eaten with avidity. 

 The great luxury of a Laplander is tobacco ; and he will even chew strips of the bag, or chins 

 of the cask, that has held it. Brandy is indeed a great favorite with the people, but it is too 

 scarce for any, but for occasional indulgence. The office of cook in all Its branches is filled 

 by men, and m this the women never interfere. 



IG. Diseases. The only epidemic is a colic, attended with spasms, but it is not fatal ; chro- 

 nic disorders, fevers, and dysenteries, are unknown. Chilblains are frequent, but in general 

 the Laplanders are free from disease. 



17. Traveling. The Laplanders travel on sledges, drawn by the reindeer, as before de- 

 scribed. In descending hills, in winter, long skates are worn. With these the Laplanders 



A Russian Laplander. 



