354 On the Bein-Deer of the Laplanders. 



the rein-deer stomaclis iilled witli milk, which are completely 

 blackened by the smoke. It is to be expected that cleanliness 

 should not exist in such miserable dwellings, but the Lapland- 

 ers have in fact no idea of it. A few of the race, who pasture 

 their rein-deer on the coasts every summer, have built earthen 

 huts in the form of tents ; but these have no advantage 

 over their usual abodes. 



It is only in autumn that the Laplander kills his rein-deer, 

 for it is ordy at that season that they are fat, and their flesh 

 palatable. In spring the rein-deer has much to endure from 

 the so-called rein-deer fly, — an insect which penetrates into the 

 skin of the animal, and deposits its eggs, from which larvae 

 are produced. The animal is thus so much tormented, that 

 it becomes lean in summer, and the skin is of no value so long 

 as the, larvae exist in it. The insects produce larger or smaller 

 tumours on the backs and sides of the rein-deer, and the poor 

 animals fall on their knees, on occasion of the slightest touch, 

 in order to escape the pain. The female produces its young 

 in the month of March, and from that time it is milked, by 

 some of the Laplanders once, and by others twice a-day. The 

 milking of the rein-deer is one of the most interesting scenes 

 in the whole economy of the Laplanders. 



Towards evening the rein-deer are driven from the moun- 

 tains to the tents. Their arrival is first announced by the 

 barking of the dogs, who run round the herd, to keep the ani- 

 mals together. Soon the whole herd is descried, forming a 

 closely packed mass, which moves along like a grey cloud. 

 As the animals approach nearer; the horns become a promi- 

 nent object, resembling a moving leafless forest, and very va- 

 rious in their form and size. The fawns push through among the 

 full-grown animals, and we at last hear a crackling noise, pro- 

 duced by the movement of their legs, and resembling the 

 sound of bm*ning fir-trees, or rather that of electric sparks. 

 Here and there is heard a sound somewhat like the grunting 

 of swine. Near the tents there is a circular enclosure, pro- 

 vided with two openings or doors. When the rein-deer ap- 

 proach it, they press closely together in order to enter, and 

 one sees only the moving mass and the projecting horns. 

 Should a deer or a fawn remain behind, or take a wrong path» 



