Feb., 191 2. Mammals of Illinois and Wisconsin — Cory. 85 



(Rangifer tarandus), a species closely allied to our Caribou, are kept 

 in great herds by natives of northern Europe and Asia. In the majority 

 of cases these herds number a few hundred, but it is claimed among 

 the Koreki that herds of thirty and forty thousand are found. 



Some years ago several thousand domesticated Reindeer from East 

 Siberia were successfully imported into northwest Alaska and distri- 

 buted among the Eskimos, where it is hoped they will prove as useful 

 to the inhabitants of that barren country as they have for hundreds 

 of years to Old World tribes in northern Siberia, Lapland, and else- 

 where. What their value has been to them may be estimated when 

 it is known that they depend largely upon the flesh of the Reindeer 

 for their food in winter. The skins are used for garments and a variety 

 of other purposes; even the sinews are made into a very serviceable 

 strong thread. The living animal has enabled the nomadic tribes to 

 solve the problem of transportation, as the animals have been trained 

 to carry burdens and to draw sleds. In addition to this the milk of 

 the cow Reindeer, while small in quantity, is very rich and is much 

 used in the manufacture of native cheese. 



Before closing my remarks concerning the Old World Reindeer, a 

 quotation from the pen of one of the ancient writers may be of interest. 

 In 1607 Edward Topsell wrote: 



"The King of Swetia had ten of them nourished at Lappa which 

 he caused every day to be driven into the mountains into coldeayer, 

 for they were not able to endure the heat. The mouth of this beast 

 is like the mouth of a cow, they many times come out of Laponia and 

 Swetia, where they are wonderfuly anoied with wolvs, but they gather 

 themselves together in a ring, and so fight against their enemies with 

 their homes. They are also in their owne naturall countrey anoied 

 with Goulons, and generally all beastes that live uppon the spoiles of 

 flesh, are enemies unto them, and desire to destroy and eate them. 

 In their pace, both slow and speedie, the Articles of their legs make 

 a noise like the cracking of Nuts. There was one of these beasts 

 given unto the Duke of Saxony in the year of our Lord 1561. 



"In Scandinavia they use them for the carriadge of mettcls, drawing 

 of Chariots and riding, and the nerves of them when they are dead 

 make bows, and for want of nailes, they do fasten plankes and boords 

 togither."* 



* Historic of Foure Footed Beastes, Lond., 1607, p. 593. 



