The most valuable animals are the walrus and the white dolphin, or beluga. Among the seals, the _Phoca albigena_ of Pallas distinguishes itself by its size, the thickness of its skin, and its quantity of fat; _Phoca grœnlandica_ and _Phoca hispida_ rank next in estimation. The Greenland whale never extends his excursions to the waters of Nova Zembla, but the fin-back and the grampus are frequently seen. The Alpine salmon (_Salmo alpinus_), which towards autumn ascends into the mountain-lakes, is caught in incredible numbers; and, finally, the bean-goose (_Anser segetum_) breeds so frequently, at least upon the southern island, that the gathering of its quill-feathers is an object of some importance. CHAPTER XII. THE LAPPS. Their ancient History and Conversion to Christianity.--Self-denial and Poverty of the Lapland Clergy.--Their singular Mode of Preaching.--Gross Superstition of the Lapps.--The Evil Spirit of the Woods.--The Lapland Witches.--Physical Constitution of the Lapps.--Their Dress.--The Fjälllappars.--Their Dwellings.-- Store-houses.--Reindeer Pens.--Milking the Reindeer.-- Migration.--The Lapland Dog.--Skiders, or Skates.--The Sledge, or Pulka.--Natural Beauties of Lapland.--Attachment of the Lapps to their Country.--Bear-hunting.--Wolf-hunting.--Mode of Living of the wealthy Lapps.--How they kill the Reindeer.--Visiting the Fair.--Mammon Worship.--Treasure-hiding.--“Tabak, or Braende.”-- Affectionate Disposition of the Lapps.--The Skogslapp.--The Fisherlapp.