The seal, when out of the water, can hardly distinguish objects at half a quarter of a mile's distance at the utmost. But in foggy and dull weather he sees better than in sunshine. He never remains in the water during moon-light nights. His hearing is acute though he has no external ears, and his scent is also very quick. He can remain under water for nearly half a quarter of an hour; but by that time he must, at the peril of his life, come to the surface to breathe, which he often does within a fathom of the shore, and he afterwards spouts out water. Nets for catching seals are set right out into the sea, from some promontory, to the distance of twenty fathoms. These are examined every morning, to see what is caught. They are chiefly set from St. Bartholomew (August 24), when the moon is in her wane, till over St. Matthew's day, September 21. 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 LINNÆUS, 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._