[CHAP. XXXIV.]
Of their Rivers.
Lapland if any Country is well watered with springs and rivers: the most noted are those from whence the particular marches and regions have their names, as Umeao, Pitheao, Luhleao, Torneao, and Kimeao, these spring from the Norway mountains, and are encreased by several less rivers, unburdening themselves at last into the Bothnick Sea. Vindela fills Umeao and Skiellefle Pitheao, Luhleao swallows a less river of the same name, and Kimeao is encreased by Avilaiocki, which it self is no small river, for there are numberless rivulets which run into it. So Luhleao which has a double stream, the lesser receives Pyrrijaus Kardijoch, and it is the same case with the greater called Stoor-Luhleao, and Tornæo which is filled with the river Kæungemæ Tængeleao and others. And so it is with all the great rivers, which upon that account are so impetuous and big, that they yield to few in the world: and because they run through hilly and uneven Countrys, and are stopt by several dams & weares, they force their way over precipices, with a great noise, and in those places are not navigable. Such is the sluce at Lughlens, called Muskaumokke, and another named Sao, likewise Niometsaski i. e. an Hares leap, so called because the river Lughla runs between two mountains so near that an Hare may leap over.
The like Cataracts are found at Torna, the most remarkable is called terrafors near the Norway mountains. Next Cængerbrooks-fors then Lappia-fors, then three more meeting in an head called by one name Pælloforser, next Kettille-fors and lastly Kukula-fors near Torna. Although these Cataracts are a great hindrance to sailers, yet they are advantagious to the mettal-melters, and afford an incredible plenty of Fish. Besides these rivers there are abundance of pooles, so numerous that but few can be named, one is Lulafræsk by Lughla, by which Lughleao the greater runs. Next Lugga and Sabbaig all abounding with Salmons. By the lesser Lughleao are Saggatt, Ritfack, Pirrijaur, Skalka, Sittijock, waykijaur, and Karra-green which exceeds them all, each affording plenty of Fish. Pitha has these remarkable ones near it, Hornafvandijaur, Arfussierf, Pieskejaur, but especially Stoorafuan in which there are as many Ilands as daies in the year; but above all Enarefræsk near Kimus. Wexionius saith the Hills and Ilands in it are innumerable, and without an hyperbole, for Tornæus affirmes that never any inhabitant lived long enough to survey them all.
There be some Marshes, little but full of Fish, in that language called Suino i. e. holy, and they account it a sin to foul them. These marches have two Channels one above the Other: somtimes it happens that the fish leave the upper and retreat into the lower, upon which account the superstitious natives bring sacrifice to appease the Dæmon of that marsh whom they suppose to be angry.
[CHAP. XXXV.]
Of their Mountains.
Their land which I treat of last, is not in the same condition all over, for that which is near Bothnia is wholsomer and more fertile for all sort of pot-herbs, as those can witness who have made gardens in both soils. They found that some places would bear coleworts, raperoots, parsnips, radishes and the like. In other places by reason of the abundance of rocks and rivers, the ground is too moist and stony, and sandy in many places, which being scattered by the wind covers the ground like snow, such are those places near the mountains of Norway. These sands make a very dangerous passage for travellors, especially when they are covered with snow, because then they cannot tell what they are to avoid, somtimes falling in and being overwhelmed. Towards Norway, are very high mountains which the Swedes call Fiæl the Laplanders Tudderi. Cluverius calleth the top of the mountains Sevo which he took from Pliny l. 4. c. 13. By Adamus they are called Riphæi, but he was to careless in looking over Pliny, Solinus, and Orosius. But whatever the name is, what Pliny saith is true of the mountain, that it is no less than the Riphæan; the top is perpetually covered with snow. Moreover the ascent and rise of this mount is thus described by Pet. Nevren: the mountain which separates Norway from Lappia begins to rise about Zemptland; thence with continued ascent towards the north it reaches a hundred miles, till it comes to Titusfiord, which is a bay of the frozen sea. By this mountain the provinces of Swedeland are divided from Norway, as by a wall designed by nature herself. But altho these mountains are one continued tract, yet they swell higher in some places than others, called by these distinct names, which Samuel Rheen mentions. Waesawaari, Skipoive, Nasawari, Ceruioiue, Kioldawaari, Niottuswagg, Keidtkiwaari, Zeknawaari, Fierrowaari, Cardawaari, Steikawaari, Skalopacht, Darrawaari, Woggousaari, Niynnas, Kaskaoiue, Wallawaari, Skieldawaari, Harrawaari, Portawaari, Kafla, Seggock Ultivis. In like manner there are many other of their names in the other parts of this Country, but because it is hard to meet with them all, and not so much to our purpose, wee’l end now.