A LAPP COLONY. 95 



purpose, and embroidered artistically ; tlie scarlet 

 and black colours form an agreeable contrast. In 

 speaking of the harness, we allude to the collar which 

 goes round the reindeer's neck, as well as the reins 

 which are fastened to it. The initials of the owner's 

 name are worked on this scarlet collar with black 

 thread. The reindeer is fastened to the sledge by a 

 single strap, so that it is harnessed in a moment, and 

 is then ready to start off on its journey. The travel- 

 ling sledge is called in the Lapp language raido-geris, 

 and is made of birch-wood ; it is pointed at the end, 

 runs on a kind of wide keel, and resembles a coffin in 

 shape. It travels with incredible swiftness over the 

 snow. Another sledge, but covered in at the top, and 

 still more like a coffin than the other, is used for con- 

 veying the baggage, such as the tent and cooking 

 utensils. When travelling, two circular boxes, in 

 shape like large tambourines, are slung across the 

 back of the reindeer that draws the second sledge, and 

 are employed in the conveyance of the smaller articles, 

 such as the drinking- cups, spoons, and other small 

 things. 



When a colony of Lapps is moving from place to 

 place, their numerous sledges have a rather pretty 

 effect. This is especially the case when a number of 

 sledges, drawn by reindeer, are passing over a broad 

 sheet of frozen water. The sledges; the reindeer, 

 with their scarlet and black trappings ; the Lapps, 

 with their wives and children ; and the numbers of 

 dogs running at the top of their speed, render the 

 sight a most novel and interesting one. 



The tame reindeer is by no means of an amiable dis- 

 position. It is by nature vicious, and, when drawing 



