6o THE SAMOYEDES 



The harness of the reindeer is very simple. The 

 saddle is a plain band of tanned reindeer-leather, about 

 eight inches broad, hanging a few inches below the body 

 on each side. About six inches from each end a double 

 thong of reindeer-skin is attached, and forms the belly- 

 band. The thong passes through the saddle, and is 

 fastened to a button {stchorlak) made of reindeer-horn or 

 bone. These buttons are about two inches in diameter, 

 with two oval holes near the centre for the thong to pass 

 through. Some of them are round, others square with 

 the corners off, others hexagonal, and others again hex- 

 agonal with every alternate side concave, whilst some are 

 merely irregular rhomboids. All the buttons are bevelled 

 on the edge, and generally slightly hollowed to fit the 

 curve of the reindeer's side. On the near side of the 

 near reindeer is a piece of carved bone, into which the 

 reins can be hitched, called halsil (the h pronounced 

 slightly gutturally). This part of the harness is of divers 

 shapes and patterns, and seems to be especially the part 

 on the ornamentation and variation of which the Samo- 

 yedes expend their spare time and taste. 



The simplest form is a hook to receive the reins. A 

 more elaborate one is a double hook, the reversed hook 

 being obviously added only for the sake of ornament. 

 Others again have the double hook, with a variety of 

 ornamental carving added. On the off side of the saddle, 

 opposite the halsil, is a leather loop to which the bridle- 

 rein of the next deer is attached. The collar is a narrow 

 band about three inches wide, also of tanned leather 

 passing round the neck. The two ends of this collar are 

 fastened together by the trace which passes from the 

 sledge, between the hind legs of the deer, between the 

 body and the belly-band which hangs rather loosely, 

 then between the forelegs to the breast, where it passes 



