Part 15 (1/2)
Grey seals are hunted in winter till Lady-day. They lie upon the ice, often in great numbers, close to a hole which they have made in it. When they come out of the water by this opening upon the surface of the ice, the water they bring with them freezes about its margin, so that in time the edges become elevated, and it looks like a well. If it should freeze over, they travel to the south-west, till they can get at water, always proceeding straight forward, even though they meet with mountains in their way; and they return in the same direct line back again. The hunters go with large poles, carefully approaching the creek seal till they get near enough to fire at him before he is aware. The grey seal is taken with a sort of hook or harpoon.
The seals are able to penetrate through the ice from beneath, lying on their backs under water, be it ever so thick, but cannot make their way into it from above.
END OF THE TOUR.
APPENDIX.
N^o I.
A BRIEF NARRATIVE OF A JOURNEY TO LAPLAND,
Undertaken with a View to Natural History, in the Year 1732, at the Expense of the Royal Academy (of Upsal); by CHARLES LINNaeUS, Student of Physic and of Natural History, as drawn up by Himself to lay before the said Academy.
The Royal Academy of Sciences having, last Spring, permitted my humble memorial to be laid before them, respecting the project of a journey to Lapland, with a view to the improvement of natural history, and having honoured the same with their approbation, appointing me to undertake the expedition. I feel it my duty, after having accomplished my journey, most respectfully to present to the Academy a narrative thereof.
For the sake of brevity and clearness I shall divide my subject into three parts.
1st, A journal of my tour.
2d, The expenses incurred.
3d, The advantages likely to accrue.
I. THE JOURNAL.
_May 12, 1732._
Having received my instructions from the Royal Academy of Sciences, with a pa.s.sport from the Government, and having prepared every thing necessary for my journey, I set out immediately at eleven o'clock, from this place (Upsal), carrying with me nothing but what was absolutely necessary, in order that I might not be detained or interrupted, in case of not being able always to procure a horse, but might occasionally pursue my way on foot. As the summer seemed to be fast advancing, I thought it not advisable to lose time by the way, nor to stray far from the road, in the early part of the tour, but only to observe attentively what readily presented itself, that I might reach Lapland with all possible dispatch.
_May 13._
By eleven o'clock I arrived at Gefle, where I was obliged to stay all that day, for it was evening before I received from the governor of the province (of Gestrickland) the requisite pa.s.sport, which was accompanied by orders to all the public officers in his district to give me all requisite a.s.sistance to penetrate, if possible, into Asila Lapmark.
_May 14._
Owing to the above delay, and my attending morning service the next day at Gefle church, I could not quit that place till one o'clock.
Proceeding without stopping to Hudwickswald, I there merely spoke a few words to Mr. Broman the clergyman, and pursued my way to Knorby Knylen, the highest mountain in Medelpad, from whence I went to Sundswall, and further. In my way I examined a cave formed by nature in a very hard rocky mountain, formerly a retreat for thieves and highwaymen.
I was so unfortunate, in my journey through Medelpad, as not to meet with a single horse that did not tumble with me several times, in consequence of which I was at one time so severely hurt as to be scarcely able to remount. Having already collected together a number of stones and minerals, which were no less burthensome than unnecessary to carry along with me further, I rode to Hernosand, where I left these inc.u.mbrances. I did not, however, stay there above two hours.