THE WILD REINDEER OF NORWAY. 95 
how you meddle with reindeer in Finmark. The Lapps 
are good shots, and very handy with their rifles. 
I shall now, after having given the principal habitats 
(and I may state that my information has been 
derived directly from several of the best and most 
experienced Norwegian hunters), allude to the habits of 
the wild reindeer, together with some occasional re- 
marks as to the manner of hunting them, which will, I 
think, prove of general use; but, before doing so, I 
would venture to caution any Englishman against going 
up the fjelds too lightly clad. We are not as a nation 
given to muffle up, and are rather apt to run into the 
opposite extreme. But for reindeer hunting it is quite 
necessary to have thick and warm clothing ; for it often 
happens that the sportsman will have to lie concealed 
for hours behind a rock after having got into a tre- 
mendous perspiration, and the sharp mountain air, and 
now and then a snow-storm (by no means a rarity 
at high altitudes in August), not to speak of a drench- 
ing rain, rapidly reduce the temperature of the body, 
and a severe cold may be the result. Prudence is ab- 
solutely necessary; for to be laid up with a rheumatic 
fever, with no better accommodation than a seeter can 
afford, and the attendance of a ster pige (girl), whatever 
be her charms (and I confess I never could detect them), 
out of reach of a doctor, and 1,000 miles from home, is 
not the most pleasmmg predicament to find oneself in. 
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