476 
THE VOYAGE OF THE VEGA. 
[chap. 
occur a single case of frostbite in the feet. To this conduced 
our clothing, which was adapted to the climate, and, besides good 
winter clothes of the sort commonly used in Sweden, consisted of 
the following articles of dress brought with us specially for use 
in the high north :— 
1. An abundant stock of good woollen under-clothing. 
2. A carefully made blouse of sailcloth, provided with many 
pockets, intended to be drawn over the ordinary seaman’s dress 
as a protection against wind and drifting snow. This proved to 
be very suitable for the purpose for which it was intended, and 
was much liked by the crew. 
3. A Lapp ‘‘pesk’' with leggins was not so often used, because 
it was so warm that it was only with difficulty one could 
walk with it any considerable distance. On the other hand, in 
the case of winter journeys with dogs or reindeer it was 
indispensable. 
4. A pair of very large canvas boots with leather soles. Inside 
these was put hay of Car ex vesicaria L. The foot itself was covered 
with one or two pairs of stockings, above which there was a foot-strip 
of felt. Our boots were thus intermediate between the foot-covering 
introduced by Parry for Arctic journeys, and the hay-filled homager 
of the Lapps. All who used these canvas boots are unanimous 
in thinking that they left nothing to desire. Even in the case 
of extended excursions in wet snow they are to be preferred to 
leather shoes; for the latter become heavy and drenched with 
water, and can with difficulty be dried in the open air in the 
course of a night’s rest. Canvas boots and the long hay in them 
on the other hand are easily dried in a single night. They are 
also light when wet, and in that state little prejudicial to health on 
account of the change of air which the hay under the foot renders 
possible. I therefore am of opinion that we are warranted in 
giving such boots the highest recommendation for winter 
journeys and winter hunting excursions, even in our own land. 
5. An Orcsund cap and a loose felt hood (baschlik) of the 
