HUNTING THE REIN-DEEK. 



117 



THE REIN-DEER. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



HUNTING THE REIN-DEER- 



HE REIN DEER is found in Ktoat 

 of the northern regions of Europe, 

 Asia, and America. Its general 

 height is about four feet and a half. 

 The color is brown above and white 

 beneath ; but as the animal advances 

 in age it often becomes of a grayish 

 white. The hoofs are long, large, 

 and black. Both sexes are furnished 

 with horns, but those of the male are 

 much the largest. To the Laplanders this animal is the substitute 

 for the horse, the cow, the goat, and the sheep : and is their only 

 wealth. The milk affords them cheese ; the flesh food ; the skin, 

 clothing ; of the tendons they make bow-strings, and when split, 

 thread ; of the horns, glue ; and of the bones, spoons. During the 

 winter, the Rein-deer supplies the want of a horse, and draws 

 sledges with amazing swiftness over the frozen lakes and rivers, or 

 over the snow, which at that time covers the whole country. Ir^ 



