File:Lake Tanum (JW Edy plate 43).jpg

Is in the immediate Vicinity of Lenongen, with which, in sorae of its meanderings, it is probably connected; the waters of each are alike in taste and complexion. Being situated farther in the recesses of the forest, this lake and its environs are little frequented by man. It has all the appearance of being the favourite retreat of savage beasts, and the resort of almost every species of wild fowl, of which the greater portion are aquatic. Their motley numbers and configurations, in the air, and on the surface of the lake, are highly entertaining; the shore birds confine themselves to their own haunts. In the air, the eagle soars king over all, the kite, hawk, and cormorant, are next in succession ; of the peaceful tribe, may be named the wild turkey and pigeon, eyder, snipe, woodcock, and numerous others. Although I was unable, after the most diligent research, to discover the nests of the woodcock and snipe, I cannot but believe that they are natives of the regions of Norway or Sweden. As these forests appear to be infested with bears, wolves, serpents, and other noxious and dangerous animals, the traveller who visits them should use all the customary cautions of the Norwegians, or his mangled limbs may be the sad memento of his temerity. These tragic scenes, it is true, but seldom occur, yet there are doubtless many hair-breadth escapes; two instances may here be recorded. A party of gentlemen, from Christiania, one of whom was the late Mr. Collett of Ulivold, went into the forests in search of game. After much toil an individual of the party became fatigued, and imprudently reclined himself on the grass, by the side of a fountain, partly overhung by a small rock, while his friends continued to amuse themselves with shooting near the place :— on a sudden one of them descried on the rock, a large bear looking down attentively at their companion. After having thus leisurely surveyed him, the animal quietly retired into the forest, and relieved the observers from an anxiety more easily conceived than described. On another occasion, some playful boys were amusing themselves by attempting to leap over a dry ditch, near their dwelling: one of them leaped short, and alighted on the body of a bear, who was reposing in the bottom. The animal, so suddenly and unusually alarmed, sprang from his resting place, regardless of the boys, and effected his escape with all possible speed. A question naturally arises here, if this relation of a single fact may be received as characteristic of the natural disposition of the Norwegian bear :— the natives assert that history does not furnish an instance, in which the most ferocious of these animals ever attacked or did harm to children. The former relation also proves how little they are disposed to attack man, without some previous provocation.

The background of this assemblage of islands, rocks, and mountains, presents a delightful view ; and all apprehension of its ferocious inhabitants is banished by the serene picturesque effect of the whole. The dead tree on the foreground, is a victim of that species of destructive moss which has been mentioned in the description of plate 39, and which is too frequent in Norwegian forests.