DOMESTICATION OF RUMINATING MAMMALS 321 
would bring it into universal use. The Eskimo is very well 
adapted to the work of herder or teamster, and is thus 
becoming an important agent in the development of the 
country. 
In order to fit the natives to become the helpers of the 
white man in the development of Alaska, the United States 
Government, through the Bureau of Education, established 
a number of reindeer stations for the training of the young 
men in the raising, care, and management of reindeer as an 
industrial branch of the public-school system of central and 
northern Alaska. Bright young men were selected and 
placed in these schools as apprentices for a period of five 
years, under skilful Finn or Lapp instructors, who drilled 
them in the business. Reindeer herds were allotted to the 
various mission stations, and a skilled herder was furnished 
for the purpose of instruction. It was found that it was 
more economical to instruct the young Eskimos through the 
mission-station rather than the government herds. 
The following is a summary of the rules and regulations 
regarding the United States reindeer service in Alaska: 
The supervision of the reindeer herds and stations in 
Alaska shall be included in the duties of the district super- 
intendents of schools for natives in Alaska. These herds 
and stations are to be inspected at least once a year, and 
quarterly in the case of stations easily accessible. It is the 
duty of the district superintendent to see that all regulations 
regarding the service, distribution of reindeer to apprentices 
and herders, contracts and all other business are carried out, 
and monthly reports are to be submitted to the commissioner 
of education. 
A local superintendent shall have immediate supervision 
of each herd of reindeer and oversight of the apprentices, 
herders, and reindeer herd. He is required to superintend 
the annual marking of the reindeer, and to see that they are 
marked correctly according to ownership. The local super- 
intendent may butcher each year not to exceed two male 
