32 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
mation that they shall, In conformity to orders from au- 
thority, transport them to the hunting or lure-place, and 
give the necessary orders for their skinning, and also that 
a huntsman is at hand to direct that the carrion should be 
laid in the proper place. 
“As soon as the ground is frozen, the hunting-cloth is 
brought out, which must be smoothed well down and 
beaten with fir branches, so that all shall be in order for 
the first falling snow; for the hunts which can be formed 
by the traces on the first snow, or before Christmas, are 
the surest. 
“ Two huntsmen must be ordered to keep watch at the 
skall-plats, the day on which the snow has fallen; and 
they should go round it three times a day, morning and 
evening, and once during the night with a lantern of tin, 
made so that it only throws light from the bottom; the 
marks of the animals going in and out are to be carefully 
noted each time, and written down in a journal, and 
whether they follow each other in numbers, or go singly. 
“ An experienced huntsman will soon discover at what 
time the animals visit the carrion; the 8th, 11th, and 14th 
day is usually the period, after they have once eaten of it. 
It happens that Wolves, early in winter, get into the skall- 
plats and lie there several days, without their traces being 
discovered ; and on such occasions, it is necessary to drive 
them gently out again, in order to ascertain their number. 
“ Each time of going round the area, every track is to be 
swept out with a long broom; and if the huntsman at any 
time have occasion to step out of the pathway (Skallgatan,) 
the marks should be immediately swept out. Birds of 
prey, such as ravens and crows, must not be frightened 
away, because they entice the wild beasts by their cries, 
and give them confidence. 
“The huntsmen examine each his side of the skall- 
plats : should it be found, when they meet, that traces of 
animals having entered are sufficiently numerous to fasten 
up the hunting-cloths, the men for that purpose are called 
out immediately, and the fastening is to be executed with 
all possible expedition, and the whole ought to be finished 
within two hours. 
“ The fastening ought to commence either at the top or 
at the bottom of the skall-plats, where two rolls of cloth 
should be lying ready : one man unloosens the roll — the 
other carries the pole on which it is wound: — they advance 
along the line, unwinding as they go. The roll should be 
wound round the pole, so that it unwinds correctly and 
easily. A third man fastens the cloth round the end of 
each stake. When the hunting-cloth is fastened up, the 
men so employed return each along his allotted distance, 
and rectifies what he finds amiss: the pieces of cloth ought 
to hang three feet from the ground. The huntsmen then 
reconnoitre the skall-plats, to ascertain whether the ani- 
mals have escaped during the fastening; if that be the case, 
the hunting-cloths are immediately taken down, wound up, 
and laid in their places. 
“ When it is found that the animals are enclosed, mes- 
sengers, who ought to be always in readiness, should be 
immediately despatched, to apprise the people of the time 
of assembling for the hunt, and of the number required, 
according to the size of the skall-plats, reckoning eight, 
and at the utmost ten, hunting paces between each person. 
“From the moment it is ascertained that the animals 
are enclosed, and until the hunt takes place, the utmost 
silence should be observed at and about the skall-plats. 
“ When the people are assembled, and the numbers 
communicated to the head ranger, they are to advance 
silently to the skall-plats: they are to be formed in two 
divisions, either at the top or at the bottom. A huntsman 
goes before each division, and a huntsman after. They 
place each peasant in his proper situation, and inform him 
what he is to attend to, namely, to stand on the outside 
of the hunting-cloths; to remain silent; and not to go 
from his post: but if the animals show themselves, he is to 
shake and strike against the cloths with his hunting-staff or 
spear. 
“ The slcalfogdar, or subordinate officers of the hunt, 
are to be chosen from trusty people, who are acquainted 
with the locality ; soldiers are preferable : these, together 
with the superfluous huntsmen, are to be distributed among 
the body which is to advance, and should, for the preser- 
vation of better order, be distinguished by some badge. 
“ Should there be any of the Royal Family present, the 
head-ranger himself should advance in the centre ; other- 
wise, a trusty huntsman, who should preserve a steady 
pace in his advance. 
“ The driving division ought to advance slowly, because 
too much haste brings the people sooner into disorder. 
The movement ought to be effected without shots or cries; 
only they are to strike the trees with their hunting-poles, 
and examine carefully if any animal has hidden himself, or 
lies dead. 
‘ ‘ When the people have advanced to the farthest point, 
the wild animals which have been shot are to be conveyed 
to the King’s skreen. 
“ No other than good marksmen shall be allowed to 
carry a gun.” 
Mr. Greiff has given some farther directions regarding 
the manner in which the Wolf-skall is to be organized and 
conducted. 
“ During my stay at Stockholm, I visited the skall-plats 
of which I have just been speaking: — this was along with 
Mr. Arenius, the head-ranger of the district, who was 
