142 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



the hairs are darker beneath than at or near their outer ends, 

 which is the exact reverse of what we observe on the other species. 



The under coat of fur on the Caribou is very abundant, and is 

 of the color of the hairs among which it is found. Of the coat 

 and coloring- of the Barren-ground Caribou, Sir John Richardson 

 gives this desci'iption : " In the month of July the caribou sheds 

 its winter covering and acquires a short smooth coat of hair, of a 

 color composed of clove-brown mingled with deep reddish and 

 yellowish browns ; tlie under surface of the neck and belly, and 

 the inner sides of the extremities, remaining white in all seasons. 

 The hair at first is fine and flexible, but as it lengthens it in- 

 creases gradually in diameter at its roots, becoming at the same 

 time white, soft, compressible and brittle, like the hair of the 

 moose-deer. In the course of the winter, the thickness of the 

 hairs at their roots becomes so great that they are exceedingly 

 close and no longer lie down smoothly, but stand erect, and 

 they are then so soft and tender below that the flexible and 

 colored points are easily rubbed off and that the fur appears 

 white, especially on the flanks. This occurs in a smaller degree 

 on the back ; and on the under parts the hair, although it ac- 

 quires length, remains more flexible and slender at its roots and 

 is consequently not so subject to break. ToAvards the spring, 

 when the deer are tormented by the larvte of the gad-fly making 

 their way through the skin, they rub themselves against stones 

 and rocks, until all the colored tips of the hair are worn ofT and 

 their fur appears to be of a soiled white color." 



This certainly gives us a very clear account of the winter coat, 

 from its first appearance till towards the spring, at least. It is 

 very clear that it never occurred to our author to inquire whether 

 the animal has two pelages, or but one during the year. That 

 question evidently never engaged his attention, and he made no 

 careful observations for the express purpose of elucidating it. 

 Had he done so he would no doubt have settled it conclusively. 

 As it is, I think further observations are required. 



The new coat described is like the new winter coat of the 

 other species, which usually comes on in September, upon the 

 loss of the summer coat. It is " a short smooth coat of hair," 

 If there are two pelages, the casting of the summer coat could 

 hardly have occurred before August or September. But can it be 

 that the winter coat is carried till July. 



Our author says : "In May the females proceed towards the sea- 

 coast Soon after their arrival on the coast, the females 



