35G On the Hem-Deer of the Laplanders. 



the dog, and every Laplander has a number proportionate to 

 lliat of his rein-deer, amounting to twelve or more. These 

 dogs protect the rein-deer from wild animals, gives a signal 

 when these approach, keep the herd together, so that they 

 may not become scattered, and thus lose themselves in the 

 mountains, and go in search of them when the latter occurs. 

 They drive the deer by their bai'king, but when that is not 

 sufficient, they bite their legs. In order to prevent injury be- 

 ing thus inflicted, the cajnine teeth are extracted when the 

 dogs are young. It is rather a natural instinct tlian a regular 

 training which teaches the dogs their duty. They have a na- 

 tural inclination to the rein-deer, and so soon as the latter are 

 in motion, are ready to follow. The dogs are divided into 

 two sections, of which the one accompanies the herd, and the 

 other remains in the tents. As soon as the I'ein-deer return 

 from their pasture to the tents, the dogs which have been re- 

 posing start up and enter upon their duties, and those which 

 are thus relieved lie down quietly in the tents. 



The Lapland dog is not large, has long hair, a sharp snout, 

 a long-haired tail, and erect ears ; it has no claims to beauty. 



The domestic rein-deer are not always of a grey colonV, like 

 the wild, but vary in this respect like al! domesticated animals. 

 Although the prevailing colour is grey, there are rein-deer of 

 a white colour with blue spots. For the most part they have 

 white markings on the head and feet, by means of which they 

 are recognized by the Laplanders, and by which the possessor 

 can not only distinguish his own from strangers, but even 

 every single animal in his herd. 



Males only are used as beasts of burden, and chiefly those 

 which are castrated, as they are the strongest. The female 

 is too tender for such work. The rein-deer is most valuable 

 for dragging, for its power of carrying is not great, and while 

 its progress when loaded is slow, the burden must also be 

 small. On the other hand, when the snow is in a good state, 

 it drags large loads with great rapidity. As is well known, 

 travelling in Lapland in winter is only performed by means 

 of rein-deer, and is accomplished at a very quick pace. The 

 horse is useless at this season, because there are no made roads, 

 and no places for repose or feeding. Such accommodations 



