33 
JOURNEY TO LAPLAND. 
both these voyages and observations, was a full confirmation of New- 
ton’s opinion, that the earth is a spheroid, higher towards the equator 
and more depressed about the poles. 
“ Newton in the starry sky, 
“ Newton saw them, and from the heavens, 
“ Bade them confirm his discovery 
“ To the astonish’d world.” 
Let us return to our traveller. Having explored the interior parts 
of the provinces of Lapland , Linn. cus direfted his steps to the al- 
pine mountains which part Norway from Sweden and extend from the 
Frozen Sea to the southern province of Warmeland , in a latitude of 
between ten and twenty, and a longitude of two hundred Swedish miles. 
The obstacles and dangers which he had overcome, could not at all be 
compared with those presented by this steep and rocky region, whose 
summits are the throne of winter, and whose remote and interior parts 
were seldom trod by the foot of man. But even this dreary district had 
the greatest allurements for Linn^us. 
He continued courageously those arduous travels, bidding defiance 
to dangers and difficulties, disregarding the nipping frost of the moun- 
tains and the heat of the vallies. He turned his most serious attention 
to the third part of natural creation, the mineral reign, to the better- 
order and division of which his reform was likewise to extend ; and 
having reached the northern boundaries, he visited the mines and ob- 
tained fresh knowledge. The fruits which he reapt from his excursions, 
were so attra&ive to his mind, as to induce him to go as far as 
the shores of the North Sea, whither two good-natured Laplanders fol- 
lowed him as his guides and interpreters. He then set out on his re- 
turn 
F 
