GENERAL REMARKS 
242 
by the lead having lighted upon the back of fome immenfely 
large fifli, which mull be in the a£t of rifing to the furface, they 
fet themfelves about rowing from the fpot with all poflible hafte ; 
and when it happened that they could perceive the fifh upon its 
emerging to the furface, it appeared covered with weeds, coral, 
and marine plants. There is a tradition in thofe northern coun¬ 
tries, of a Romifh Bifhop landing upon the back of one of thefe 
monfters, and celebrating mafs upon it during the time he re¬ 
mained there. Such are fome of the particulars which have 
been related refpeCting this extraordinary production of nature; 
ftories that appear to have been fwelled out and augmented in the 
courfe of narration from one credulous hearer to another, and in 
all likelihood had their origin in fome dead whale of extraordinary 
bulk being feen floating on the furface, on whofe back had grown 
thofe marine plants, and other fubftances which ufually fatten to 
inert bodies in the feas. This incident afterwards was increafed 
to that of a floating ifland, or fome fea monfter as large as an 
ifland, to which at lafl: they gave the name of the krake. In fhort, 
the tale of the kralen is fupported on much the fame ground as 
the Rories of ghofts and hobgoblins ; for they too are believed by 
many, though no evidence can be produced of any credible perfon 
that has feen them. 
The wives of the maritime Laplanders {hare with their huf- 
bands in the employment of fifliing, which is not the cafe with 
women in general in other parts of Norway. The mountain 
Laplanders, when removed in the fummer feafon to the fea coaft. 
8 
engage 
