CONCERNING LAPLAND. 
217 
fecutors; he fometimes falls even a vi<£tim topoifon. It has hap¬ 
pened that the fox, when caught by the leg, has left a part of it 
in the trap, and hobbled away on three legs ; and it is believed 
by the Laplanders, that the fox will facrifice the leg by biting it 
off, in order thereby to regain his liberty: but is it not more ra¬ 
tional to fuppofe the lofs of leg to be occafioned by the bone being 
firft broken by the trap, and then the fractured part of the leg 
feparated, by the frequent and violent efforts to extricate himfelf 
from the inthralment ? No creature, except man, has been ob~ 
ferved to make a willing and voluntary facrifice of life or limb. 
Martens are found in Finmark. Of thefe there are three kinds 
or fpecies ; the fione marten, fo called from his frequenting rocky 
places; his fur is fhort and blackifh, and his tail of a yellowifh 
colour, with an alii coloured throat. The fecond fpecies is called 
the birch-marten, as he frequents the fpots where thofe trees grow ; 
his fur is yellow, the tail of a purplifh colour, and the throat 
white. The third fort is called, for the like reafon, the fir-mar¬ 
ten, being found amongft the fir-trees ; its fur is yellow, the tail 
of a tawny colour, and the throat w 7 hite. The martens are all 
taken in traps. 
Th cgulo, or glutton, called by the Danes vielfiras, and by the 
Laplanders gjeed'k, is to be met with in Finmark ; but it is rather 
an uncommon animal. It is furnifhed with fharp teeth and claws, 
and although greatly inferior in fize to the rein-deer, is faid to 
have frequently killed thofe animals ; but this is effected rather 
by furprife than by open affault, and in the following manner. 
Vol. II. F f The 
