Close by the post-house of Dingersjö grew the large Yellow Aconite (_Aconitum lycoctonum_), called by the peasants Giske or Gisk. All over the country through which I passed this day, it is as common as heath or ling. Not being eaten by any kind of cattle, it grows luxuriantly, and increases abundantly, in proportion as other herbs are devoured. Thus Nature teaches the brute creation to distinguish, without a preceptor, what is useful from what is hurtful, while man is left to his own inquiries.
To the north of Dingersjö, on the right hand of the road, stands a considerable mountain called Nyæckers-berg, the south side of which is very steep. The inhabitants had planted hop-grounds under it. As the hop does not in general thrive well hereabouts, they designed that this mountain should serve as a wall for the plants to run upon. They were not disappointed as to the success of their plantations; for the hops were very thriving, being sheltered from the cold north wind, and at the same time exposed to the heat of the sun, whose rays are concentrated in this spot as in a focus.
At the distance of a quarter of a mile from the post-house, on the left, stands the highest mountain in Medelpad, according to the inhabitants, which is called Norby Kullen, or more properly Norby Knylen. It is indeed of a very considerable height; and being desirous of examining it more minutely, I travelled to Norby, where I tied my horse to an ancient Runic monumental stone, and, accompanied by a guide, climbed the mountain on its left side. Here were many uncommon plants, as _Fumaria bulbosa minima_, _Campanula serpyllifolia_ (_Linnæa borealis_), _Adoxa moschatellina_, &c., all in greater perfection than ever I saw them before. I found also a small rare moss, which I should call _Sphagnum ramosum_, _capsulis globosis_, _petiolus_ (pedicellis) _longis erectis_, if it may be presumed a _Sphagnum_, as I saw no calyptra. The little heads or capsules were exactly spherical[8].
[8] Linnæus's ideas concerning the genera of Mosses were at this time in a very unsettled state. Could this be any thing else than _Bartramia pomiformis_?
After much difficulty and fatigue, we reached the summit of the mountain to the westward. Here the country-people kept watch during the war with the Russians, and were obliged to attend twice a day, as this place commands an extensive sea view. They had collected a great quantity of wood, on which stood a pole, with a tar-barrel placed transversely on its top. This was to be set on fire at the landing or approach of the enemy, being conspicuous for many miles around.