208 DULL OF SIGHT. 



period ; for the males lose theirs soon after the rutting season, 

 in the autumn, whilst the females and the young males do 

 not part with theirs until pretty late in the spring. 



Amongst other singularities of the wild rein-deer may be 

 mentioned, that if he comes to a Kor-vag, or track on 

 which there is traffic, he never crosses it, but at once turns 

 back again. 



The rein-deer's sense of smelling is uncommonly acute; 

 but not so his sight, which is very dull.^ " If he comes 

 under the wind of a man," writes a friend, who has had 

 some experience in stalking that animal, " he instantly takes 

 to flight; but if one comes suddenly upon him, he will 

 often stop and gaze in wonder. I was once out rein-deer 

 shooting, and got within one hundred and fifty yards 

 of a herd, when I fired and brought one down. My Nor- 

 wegian attempted also to shoot, but his rifle would not go 

 off. He had time to prime thrice before it exploded, the 

 deer standing still, and gazing in every direction the while, 

 but without discovering us, though fully exposed to view; 

 and then moving quietly away." 



It is probably owing to his exquisite sense of smelling that 

 he almost invariably feeds against the wind. Hence,- if it 

 has blown from any particular quarter for several consecutive 

 days say the westward, for instance one does not in that 

 case find a single deer on the eastern side of the f jails, because 

 at such times the animals gradually make for the western 

 fjalls, against the wind. 



* "The rein-deer/' Pontoppidan tells us, in his usual quaint way, "has 

 over his eyelids a kind of skin, through which he peeps, when otherwise, in 

 the hard showers of snow, he would be obliged to shut his eyes entirely; 

 a very great proof of the Creator's omniscience and benevolence in providing 

 for each creature's wants according to its destined manner of living." 



