Luleå Lappmark [1]

Luleå Lappmark

The boundary stone between Lappmark and Västerbotten lies near Storbacken, where the greater and lesser Lule rivers meet.

As soon as I crossed into Lappmark ‘Acetosa fol. rotundis emarginatis’ [Mountain Sorrel] appeared on the side of a hillock cut off by the current.

29th. The pines are less twiggy on their northern sides and thus, with the help of the pine, people am tell where north lies. There is an abundance of timber lying around here unused though they do use it – together with rowanberries – in the preparation of schnaps.

About 7 miles from Pajerim we came to KOSKATSVARE, a fairly high hill from which the white snow in the mountains could be seen even though they were still a considerable distance away. There was cowberry growing on this high hill but it was quite unlike the usual kind in that it grew twice as long, completely upright, and not bushy – unlike other varieties.

‘Usnea arborea’ [beard moss] was growing on the trees.1 The Lapps use it when their skin is sore from walking. They put it between their buttocks, as is also done by soldiers, though it is a remedy of doubtful worth.