88 On the Rein-Deer. 



*' The foremost deer accomplished 5,397 Paiis feet in six mi- 

 nutes, passing over thus, in each second, 14 feet 11 inches, and 

 .90 of an inch. 



" The second deer performed the same distance in seven 

 minutes and SO seconds, being 11 feet 11 inches .92 of aninch 

 to each second. 



*' The two remaining deer were distanced.'' 



In this race, which took place in March, the depth of snow 

 was a great impediment to the deer, and a second trial was ac- 

 cordingly made in the following month, upon more favourable 

 ground, with three deer, the results of which were thus : 



" The first deer performed 3,089 feet, 8 inches, and .90, in 

 two minutes, being at the rate of nearly 19 English miles in 

 an hour, and thus accomplishing 25 feet, 8 inches, and .96, in 

 every second. 



" The second did the same in three minutes, and the third 

 and last deer in three minutes and S6 seconds. The ground 

 in this race was nearly level." Nov. Comment. Petropol. 



A traveller, unincumbered with any thing but what he carries 

 on his back, might pass through Lapland, taking its farthest 

 extremities, in an inconceivable short space of time, if proper 

 arrangements were previously made ; that is, if he had many 

 deer provided for him, ready at different stations, and was not 

 very unfortunate in the weather. This is supposing what might 

 unquestionably be performed, but yet would be subject to great 

 difficulty and uncertainty ; without taking into consideration, 

 whether any one would like to be thus shot like an arrow 

 through a country, unable to form any idea of it beyond the 

 sledge that supported him, or the animal that dragged him 

 along. 



5. Rei7i-Deer eats the Lemming. 

 The curious circumstance of the rein-deer occasionally feeding 

 upon the mountain-rat, or lemming (Mus Lemmus,) has been 

 formerly noticed. In addition to the proofs already given of 

 this singular propensity of the animal, I am now enabled to bring 

 forward another, which will be considered even more satisfactory 

 than the former, from its having occurred during the last autumn 

 (1825.) Mr Rickards, who has recently returned from an in- 



