138 THE REIN-DEER, 



the bait. The slab is sufficiently strong to bear the 

 weight of a deer, until it has passed the middle, 

 when it revolves on two short axles of wood, preci- 

 pitates the deer into the trap, and returns to its place 

 again, in consequence of the lower end being heavier 

 than the other." 



Hearne describes another method still, by which 

 these important animals are brought within reach of 

 the more imperfect weapons of the Indians, that of 

 driving into a pound, as is also done with the wild 

 buffalo ; the principle is the same. A fence, or the 

 appearance of it, is placed in the form of an angle, 

 the entrance being wide, into which, when the herds 

 enter, they are impelled forward by noise behind, 

 until they are gradually enclosed in the centre fold. 

 In the present instance, the centre pound or fold is 

 sometimes a mile in circumference, and is intersect- 

 ed with brush and fences, in which snares made of 

 thongs of rein-deer skins are fixed, and in which, 

 when entangled, they are easily speared. 

 In Europe, the rein-deer inhabits the more north- 

 ern countries, Siberia, Lapland, Finmark, and Swe- 

 den ; but is not, we believe, known to the south of 

 the Baltic Sea. It also extends beyond the Asiatic 

 boundary, and amon^ some tribes is used as a beast 

 of burden. In Iceland it has been for some time in- 

 troduced. In none of these countries is it so much 

 esteemed as in Lapland. It there becomes the sole 

 wealth of the people, being every necessary they re- 

 quire ; its care, food, and dressing occupying by far 



