XI. most numerous; and, rarely, bears. The wolves CHAP. make their ravages in large troops, and threaten the ruin of the country. There are, moreover, abundance of red, white, black, blue, and yellow foxes; also, martens, otters, beavers, hares, squirrels, and ermines. In August 1793, an incredible number of mountain-mice, called Lemmar, descended upon Enontekis; and in the following summer, some were seen still scattered here and there; whereas, during forty years, nothing of the kind had ever appeared before, nor have any of them been seen since. Serpents are unknown; but a few lizards are sometimes found. In the list of birds known here, may be men- Birds. tioned the white partridge, which is very common. To the south of Enontekis is found the Great Cock of the woods (Gallus sylvestris). We had more than once the satisfaction of springing this bird, and of seeing him upon the wing. Rarer birds, collected by naturalists upon this spot, are the following: Strix Scandiaca; Strix nyctea alba; Turdus roseus; Motacilla Svecica: Fringilla Lapponica; Tringa lobata; Platalea leucordia; Anas nigra; &c. Owls are sometimes very abundant. We shall terminate this chapter with a few Meteorolometeorological observations, during the course of servations. gical Ob CHAP. one year, by Mr. Grape'. It is only to be regretted that they were made without a ther mometer. January. The most intense cold took place between the 3d and the 7th. The greatest depth of the snow, 1 of a Swedish ell. February. Snow falling, with violent wind, from the 9th made their appearance on the 23d. The ways become passable. Wild geese begin to appear. May. The partridge (Charadrius apricarius, Linn.) and the Motacilla œnanthe, Linn. appeared on the 5th. The season for travelling in sledges ended on the 8th. The rivulets began to flow on the 9th. First rain on the 11th; and at the same time, the Lumme (Colymbus Lumme) made its appearance. The ice began to break up on the 14th. Swallows appeared on the 15th. The ice disappeared on the 17th: the Spring floods in the (1) Enontekis Sokns Beskrifning, af Eric I.Grape; MS. p. 33. XI. rivers then at their height. Upon the 18th, CHAP. sowing began; the plains beginning to look green. The last snow fell on the 19th. Upon the 23d, planted potatoes. Cuckoo heard on the 25th; and perch began to spawn. Birch-leaves began to appear on the 27th, and the plains to exhibit an uniform green colour. The last Spring frost happened on the night of the 30th. June. The earth white with snow on the 4th. Pasturage commenced in the forests on the 7th. Snow and heavy hail on the 13th. The first Summer heat on the 16th. First thunder on the 18th: at this time sowed the kitchen-garden. Mosquitos in vast number on the 22d. Inundations from the highest mountains on the 26th: at this time the leaves of my potatoe-plants perished with cold. July. First ear of barley on the 26th. Hay-making began on the 30th. The first star visible on the 31st, denoting the re-approach of night. August. First frosty night towards the 17th. Harvest began on the 20th. Birch-leaves begin to turn yellow, on the 23d. September. Hard frost towards the 6th. Swallows disappear VOL. IX. LL CHAP. on the 11th. Ground frozen, and ice upon the banks, on the 12th. First snow fell on the 21st, and remained upon the mountains. Cattle housed on the 24th. Lakes frozen on the 26th. October. Leaves of birch and osier not altogether fallen on the 3d. Lakes frozen on the 5th; the river, on the 6th. Upon the 9th, not a rook to be seen. The earth again bare on the 22d; and the ice not firm on the 26th. Durable frost and snow on the 27th. November. Upon the 19th, travelling in sledges commenced. December. The greatest degree of cold from the 16th to 22d inclusive. The depth of the snow now equalled 1 Swedish ell and 18 inches. |