214 
GENERAL REMARKS 
groundlefs. It fhould feem, that the Laplander’s wife confines 
herfelf to the duties of her fituation, and is not ambitious, like 
fome of her fex in other countries to the fouth of Lapland, to dif- 
tinguifh herfelf by exercifes which are better adapted, and more 
properly belong to the men. 
Hares exift in great plenty in Lapland ; they are white in win¬ 
ter, but in fummer of the colour they are ufually found in other 
places. The Laplanders fometimes flioot them, but for the moft 
part take them in fnares and traps. 
Bears are common in Finmark, and different parts of Norway. 
The rein-deer, by their fwiftnefs, are able to elude thofe enemies ; 
but cows, fheep, and goats frequently become their prey. Befides 
flefh, the bears are exceedingly fond of berries, infomuch, that 
thefe owe their vernacular name to them ; the fame appellation in 
the northern languages fignifying both. Of berries the bear finds 
a fufficient fupply during the fummer in the woods ; he eats herbs 
and grafs likewife in that feafon ; flefh therefore feems to be eaten 
by him through neceffity, and the want of other food in winter. 
The Laplanders generally affail the bears with their rifle guns; 
but if they be not killed or difabled by the firfi: fhot, the hunter 
ftands in great jeopardy, for the wounded animal will then return 
to the attack with the greatefl: fury. The bear is likewife en- 
fnared by ftratagems of various kinds. It is a prevailing opinion 
in the countries of northern Europe, that this animal fupports 
himfelf through the winter by a milky kind of moiflure that 
exudes from his fore paws, and which he fucks, uttering at the 
fame 
