six feet square, B and C. ve ==
whilst along their se mi z
apart, other smal émer is I
of about eighteen inches n famez
The hauling-es of the leve
1 into the brie B and frm te te

ular de

CHAPTER V.

Fishing under the ice.-The Hare.-Hare-shooting.-Hare-lip.

THOUGH the weather had been mild for some time previously, the ice was still of a considerable thickness on most of the lakes and rivers: but, in spite of this obstruction, fish were not unfrequently taken by lines or nets. This, indeed, was the case when the ice was two or three feet in thickness.

At Uddeholm and Risäter, the drag-net was often resorted to for this purpose, by which considerable quantities of fish were sometimes caught. The manner in which this was brought into play was somewhat curious; and as I do not recollect ever having seen it described, I shall endeavour, with the assistance of the annexed woodcut, to give an idea of the way in which the operation was conducted.

Over such parts of the lake as were known to be only of a certain depth, and where the bottom was free from obstruction, spaces of an oval shape were marked upon the ice. These were usually of from one hundred and fifty to two hundred paces in length, by fifty or sixty at their greatest breadth. At either ends of these figures, and exactly opposite to each other, two holes of about six feet square, B and C, were cut in the ice, whilst along their sides, and at about fifty feet apart, other small circular holes, D D, were made of about eighteen inches in diameter.

The hauling-lines of the net were now introduced into the hole B, and from thence they were

conveyed to the nearest of the circular apertures DD. This was effected by means of a pole (or rather of several poles attached together) E, which was impelled forward by a forked-stick F. If the poles, however, happened to go wide of their intended mark, they were recovered by the crooked stick G, which was armed with a cow's or other horn, and which acted like a grappling iron. The hauling-lines being now arrived at DD, the net, a common drag of seventy or eighty paces in length, was then introduced into the hole B. This soon became extended to its proper dimensions, and it was then drawn gradually forward until it reached its destination C, or the hole opposite to that where it had entered. Here a man stood with a pole, beating and disturbing the water to prevent the escape of the fish. From this hole, the net with its contents was drawn on to the ice.

The operation altogether lasted about an hour; but as there were several other places similarly prepared in different parts of the lake, a fishing excursion generally occupied the greater part of the day. Fine and moderate weather was usually selected for the purpose, or otherwise the people would not have been able to contend against the effects of the water.

The holes I speak of were generally opened in the ice in the early part of the winter; and they were made use of occasionally during the whole of that inclement season of the year.

The greatest evil attendant upon this kind of fishing arises from the net frequently getting fast to the bottom: in such cases it was generally necessary to form fresh holes in the ice, so as to trace its direction. If the ice was thick, this operation was attended with considerable labour and trouble.

The drag-nets used on these occasions, instead of being leaded as ours usually are, were weighted with pebbles, or pieces of iron, that were introduced into small cows' horns; the points of these were always placed in advance, the better, I imagine, to get over any obstruction there might be at the bottom. The lines of the net were formed of goat's-hair, which was much more elastic and durable than those made of hemp.

Flue-nets were also occasionally made use of: these, which were introduced under the ice in a similar manner to the drag-net, often proved very destructive.

Immediately after Christmas, Mr. Falk made up a little party (including myself) to shoot hares, of which there was a fair sprinkling throughout the surrounding forest. That gentleman had, as I have said, a good many beagles, and we therefore anticipated some amusement. But before I proceed to detail our proceedings, it may not be out of place to say a few words regarding the animal we were in pursuit of.