THE ROMANCE OF 



THE NEWFOUNDLAND 



CARIBOU. 



BY WAY OF EXPLANATION. 



An introduction to a book is usually a sort of apology 

 for the sins which one is apparently about to commit, 

 though it is more often written after the work is complete ; 

 of course, we all know it is very seldom read. Neverthe- 

 less, it is one's duty — to whom it is difficult to say — to 

 write one ; so I make the attempt, not calling it an Introduc- 

 tion, but explaining why I am going to write so much about 

 the life of this comparatively little-known creature, and to 

 apologise for all shortcomings and mistakes I may commit. 



In England it is quite the exception to find anyone 

 who knows what the Caribou is, unless he happens to have 

 been to Newfoundland or certain parts of Canada; while 

 even in the United States the animal is very slightly known, 

 except to sportsmen, and people will scarcely believe 

 that in the island of Newfoundland herds numbering many 

 hundred head may be seen, at the present time, even by 

 those travelling on trains. Yet Caribou are actually 

 very numerous, notwithstanding the considerable slaughter 

 which takes place during the rather long season when 



