78 MEMOIR OF LINNjEUS. 
was disappointed. The fire scorched me on one 
side, while the cold north wind pinched me on the 
other ; and the gnats so stung my hands, face, and 
legs, that it was impossible to sleep. Thus I re- 
mained in expectation of my conductor, who had 
set out in search of another, till two o’clock in the 
afternoon. I could not help thinking how miserably 
I might have to end my days here, in case he should 
think proper to desert me entirely. 
“ At length he returned quite spent with fatigue, 
and having made inquiry at many of the huts, but 
in vain. He brought with him a person whose 
appearance was such, that at first I did not know 
whether I beheld a man or a woman. I scarcely 
believe that any poetical description of a fury could 
come up to the idea which this Lapland fair one 
excited. It might -well be imagined that she was 
truly of Stygian origin. Her stature was very di- 
minutive ; her face of the darkest brown, from the 
effects of smoke ; her eyes dark and sparkling ; her 
eye-brows black; her pitchy-coloured hair hung 
loose about her head, upon which she wore a flat 
red cap. She had a grey petticoat ; and from her 
neck, which resembled the skin of a frog, were 
suspended a pair of large loose breasts of the same 
brown complexion, but encompassed, by way of 
ornament, with brass rings. Hound her waist she 
wore a girdle, and on her feet a pair of half- 
hoots. 
“ Her first appearance really struck me with 
