76 PKAIEIE AND FOEEST. 



has been carried on in furs, so that the inhabitants of the 

 one continent must have intercourse with, and a knowledge 

 of the ways of life of the other. 



Although the reindeer easily becomes domesticated, 

 and when in that state is no more difficult to herd than 

 sheep, still, when in the wild state, particularly if near 

 to the confines of civilization, they are of all game 

 the most difficult to approach, even to obtain sight of. 

 Their large heavy ears enable them to possess most 

 wonderful powers of hearing ; and their olfactory organs 

 and sight are none the less acute, so that they are 

 able to distinguish the approach of an intruder upon 

 their demesne long before the sportsman is aware of 

 their presence. Thus, when hunting cariboo, I have 

 often come across the indentations caused by their tread 

 in the soft, bent moss of the swamp, and so lately 

 made that you might observe the pressed sterns revert 

 ing to their original position, still no sight of the quarry 

 could be obtained, although it was impossible they 

 could be more than a second or two in your advance. 

 However, the cariboo lias a way of stealing off, gliding, 

 as it were, out of sight, which in so large an animal 

 appears impossible To accomplish this they lower their 

 backs, push their heads far forward, with the antlers laying 

 close along the withers, while each foot is raised and, with 

 very bended knee, placed far and silently in advance of 

 the other. To observe this done, the action is so slow 

 and measured, that you cannot help being astonished at 

 the rapidity of progression that results. The moose, also, 



ill practise this ruse to avoid observation ; but it is far 



