REINDEER AND MUSK-OX 



In Newfoundland, as well as in all parts of Canada which, while not com- 

 prised in the area specifically defined above, yet furnish a congenial habitat, 

 caribou are to be found, but these, though differing widely from each other in 

 minor points, are mostly of the Woodland variety. 



Varieties — 



Zoologists have somewhat arbitrarily, but by no means unanimously, 

 divided the caribou of North America into some eleven different groups, of 

 which six are classed as "Barren Land" and five as "Woodland" caribou. 



The authorities appear to be far from agreement in the matter of classifica- 

 tion, and your commissioneis have therefore thought it best to refrain entirely 

 from the use of the scientific names which have been bestowed on the various 

 types, and to refer to them only in general terms as "Woodland" and "Barren 

 Land" caribou. 



The Zoolo- 

 gists are ap- 

 parently agreed 

 that all the dif- 

 fering varieties 

 of caribou are 

 capable of inter- 

 breeding, and as 

 there are no arti- 

 ficial restraints 

 and but few hard 

 and fast natural 

 barriers, it is not 

 unreasonable to 

 suppose that as 

 in the case of 

 many other ani- 

 mals, the more 



pronounced points of difference between the various types have had their origin 

 in local conditions, and that many of the minor variations have resulted from 

 the invasions of males from other herds. 



In the reports of school teachers and others who are in charge of reindeer 

 herds in Alaska, appear from time to time, reference to wild male caribou joining 

 the herds in the breeding season and leaving progeny larger and stronger than 

 that from the domestic sires. 



Similar exchanges undoubtedly occur between herds of wild caribou, 

 possibly differing somewhat widely in size, form or other characteristics, with 

 the result that intermediate types are produced, leading to more or less confusion 

 in classification. 



Ignoring the finer distinctions, therefore, it may be generally accepted for 

 the purposes of this report, that in the country north of the 55th parallel of 

 latitude and east of the Mackenzie river, the herds seem to be comprised almost 

 altogether of Barren Land caribou. 



On the other hand, in the territory lying south of the 55th parallel, as also 

 in northern British Columbia, and the southern half of the Yukon Territory, 

 the W^oodland caribou seem to be in possession. 



29 



Caribou near Carey Lake, N.W.T. 



Photo by J. B. Tyrrell. 



