On my return I observed that the basis of all the tufts of grass, which abound in _mosses_ or marshy spots, was the little rushy plant with an entangled root (_Scirpus cæspitosus_) of which I have already spoken. The roots of this vegetable rise every year higher and higher above the soil, so that it seems to have a principal share in forming meadows out of bogs. It is also the basis of all the most remarkable floating islands[32]. [32] In the _Flora Suecica_, and _Amœn. Acad. v. 1.511_, these properties are attributed to the _Schœnus Mariscus_, which Scheuchzer in his _Agrostographia, p. 377_, assures us forms the floating islands near Tivoli. I heard the note of some Ptarmigans (_Tetrao Lagopus_), which sounded like a kind of laughter. On approaching them I observed that their necks were brown, their bodies white, with three or four brown feathers on the shoulders. Their tails were of a darkish hue[33]. [33] These birds had partly acquired their summer plumage. I noticed the Agaric of the Spruce Fir (_Agaricus Fl. Lapp. n. 517_), a flat sessile species, which is the chief remedy used by the Laplanders against gnats, by smoking themselves as well as their reindeer with it. When these insects become very numerous and troublesome, they force the reindeer from their pastures. Even those which have been a whole year away from home are obliged to return. The Laplanders lay small piles of this fungus, every morning and evening, upon the fire in their huts, by which means only they are enabled to sleep at their ease. I was also shown the Agaric of the Willow (_Boletus suaveolens Fl. Lapp. n. 522_), which has a very fragrant scent. The people assured me it was formerly the fashion for young men, when going to visit their mistresses, to use this fungus as a perfume, in order to render themselves more agreeable[34]. [34] I must here present the English reader with a passage on this subject from the _Flora Lapponica_. "The Lapland youth, having found this Agaric, carefully preserves it in a little pocket hanging at his waist, that its grateful perfume may render him more acceptable to his favourite fair-one. O whimsical Venus! in other regions you must be treated with coffee and chocolate, preserves and sweetmeats, wines and dainties, jewels and pearls, gold and silver, silks and cosmetics, balls and assemblies, music and theatrical exhibitions: here you are satisfied with a little withered fungus!" The Cloudberry (_Rubus Chamæmorus_) abounded hereabouts, and was now in bloom. The petals varied in number from four to seven. I observed this plant blossoming equally well on the most lofty mountains, as was also the case with the Crake berry (_Empetrum nigrum_).