LAPLAND JOURNEY 
63 
In the same aspect no one doubts that our country, 
whose natural history has hitherto lain in thick dark¬ 
ness, may also in a short time, boast of its efficiency 
through its inquiring members. Lapland first 
deserves accurate investigation; a tract highly admired 
by poets and historians, both praised and blamed. 
The whole of Europe and nearly the whole of the 
world have been searched through, but this country 
lies wrapped in cruel barbarism, and fabulous tradi¬ 
tions are current.” Various points of view are 
appended, on which investigation should be made, 
such as the natural productions of Lapland, the 
diseases occurring there, the Lapps’ curious diet and 
cooking, their domestic medicine, with numerous 
other things which, for the sake of brevity, could not 
be specified. As to the zoology of Lapland, probably 
many mammals may be discovered, but on the other 
hand, there are many of the rarer kinds such as 
reindeer, lemmings, gluttons, etc., concerning which 
so many errors are recorded, that one would be wearied 
in recounting them. There must be a large number 
of birds which annually gather together from all parts 
of the world, and here, free from disturbance, lay their 
eggs and rear their young in peace. As this country 
is everywhere traversed by great streams and rivers, 
it should follow that here occur many kinds of curious 
and hitherto undescribed or unknown fishes, “ and as 
to insects, there must be in summer a superabundance 
when one recalls, as travellers relate, how the people 
are attacked and pestered by them.” 
The other two kingdoms of nature have also much 
to offer as deserying of closer observation. Plants 
are found in Lapland as Professor Rudbeck has 
already shown, particularly rare and unknown, such 
as the numerous species of willows, which, and with 
many others, need description. Similarly we may 
also believe that there is no lack of mosses, now so 
prized by botanists. As for the mineral kingdom, we 
already know of the costly treasures of metals which 
