234 NATURALIZATION. 



Vdm, or paunch (after it has been cleansed), and, together 

 with the meat, is stored away in the Stabur or sort of larder, 

 already spoken of for future use. Such a Vam is called 

 a Ren-blod, or rein-deer blood ; and when speaking of the 

 blood, the Lapps do not say such and such a quantity, 

 but so many Ren-blodar. The meat, though exceedingly 

 palatable, is, by all accounts, greatly inferior to the venison 

 of the wild rein-deer. 



Unless the adult males be slaughtered prior to the com- 

 mencement of the rutting season, they become emaciated, 

 and their flesh has a rank flavour. Such of them, therefore, 

 as are doomed, are previously emasculated, in which case the 

 animal not only retains his condition, but the flesh is equally 

 well-flavoured. 



Though the late Earl of Derby, Sir Thomas Maryon 

 Wilson and others, attempted, at very considerable expense, 

 to naturalize the rein-deer in England, their praiseworthy 

 efforts proved unavailing; for in spite of every care and 

 attention, all the poor animals died ; partly as supposed from 

 a deficiency of rein- deer moss, which, as said, in Lapland 

 constitutes the chief food of the rein-deer, but principally 

 from the humidity of our climate. To judge, however, by 

 the fine specimens now in the Zoological Gardens, Regent's 

 Park, the rein-deer would seem to thrive well in this country; 

 for these animals not only look perfectly healthy, but have 

 bred as indeed they did with Sir Thomas Wilson in 

 confinement. 



The attempt having succeeded so well, it is to be hoped 

 that other experiments will be made, and that on a larger 

 scale. In that case, it will be desirable to introduce the 

 Skogs-Ren, in preference to the Fj all-Ren, as from their 



