_September 9._
I examined the fish called in West Bothland _Natting_, (_Petromyzon
fluviatilis._) Its upper jaw is acutely notched, resembling two teeth.
The lower has seven small teeth, of which the two outermost are
largest. Mouth in the under side of the head, gaping, oval, rather
compressed. There are seven openings in a row behind the eyes, gradually
larger as they recede from thence. The fins have no visible rays, but
merely streaks, yet they are not adipose, or fat, fins. There is a
prominent orifice on the top of the head. The _pericardium_ is
cartilaginous. The fish is a span long. Its hind fin triangular.
These (lampreys) are caught at this time of the year, when the nights
grow dark, in hollow timbers of a conical shape, resembling the wicker
baskets used for catching eels. The entrance is made smooth and even.
These timbers are laid, at the depth of two ells, in the river, and kept
down with stones, the opening being turned to meet the current.
Some such traps are made of willow-twigs not bigger than goose-quills,
platted close together into the same shape, and are two ells in length.
I was told that the Laplanders are accustomed to preserve blood of the
reindeer in rennet-bags through the winter till spring, when they boil
it with water, and drink it.
Tar is obtained in the following manner. A cavity, of an inversely
conical shape, is dug in a hill, and then lined with hewn timbers, nine
ells in length each, so as to form a sort of funnel. This again is lined
with bark of pine-trees, so as to prevent the tar draining away into the
ground between the timbers. At the bottom is another funnel or vessel of
wood to receive the tar, which runs from thence into a trough, closed on
all sides, except a hole where the point of the said funnel is inserted,
and another at the extremity, closed with a moveable plug, from which
the tar is received into vessels and taken away. Roots of fir, cut to
pieces, are placed upright in the large funnel above, so as to leave a
convexity over the bottom, and the whole being covered with turf is set
on fire, against the wind. Care is taken, by varying the admission of
air, to prevent its burning too fast, or unequally; and by this means
they procure both tar and charcoal.
_September 14._
I took my leave of Biorknas. The weather was cold and rainy. Such of the
forest trees as are of a deciduous nature had now assumed a pallid hue,
in consequence of the cold nights; but the evergreens, with their
needle-shaped leaves, standing among them, seemed to defy the cold, and
were rendered conspicuous by their dark-green colour. The high wind
scattered the withered leaves over my path. How useful are the usual
storms of autumn to disperse ripe seeds, and plant colonies far from the
parent trees! The hills appeared sandy; and such places as had been
burnt were now perfectly white with Reindeer Moss, (_Lichen
rangiferinus_,) which grew so close together, as hardly to leave any
room for the Ling. It ornamented the sides of the roads like the
Iceland Moss, (_Lichen islandicus._)
Some part of the road consisted of a reddish-brown earth, such as I had
observed in the early part of my journey near Um[oe]a. I was told that
it was excellent for red paint. At length I reached Zingis, and in the
evening arrived at Tornea, entirely wet through.
_September 15._
I observed how they manage their corn at this season. They have no barns
to lay it into, but it is placed between poles, all the ears directed to
one side, in stacks two or three ells long, and very high. If the corn
be not quite dry, it is first spread abroad. Afterwards it is dried in a
kiln, and thrashed on a floor. How liable must it be to take fire, and
how much must unavoidably be spilt in consequence of such management!