T H E D E E R K I N D. 3f 



timorous animal, by its endeavours to efcape, finks at every flep it takes. 

 Still it purfues its way through a thoufand obftacles : the fnow yields 

 to its weight; the (harp ice wounds its feet; and its lofty horns are en- 

 tangled in the branches as it paffcs : thefe are broken down with eafe ; 

 and where the moofe-decr runs, is traced by the fnapping off branches 

 of trees, as thick as a man's thigh, with its horns. The chace lafts thus 

 a whole day ; fometimes two, or three days. The moofe trots on (for 

 that is its ufual pace), till its purfuers come up; after repeated wounds, 

 and repeated exertions, quite tired, and fpent, it finks, like a ruined 

 building, and fhakes the earth beneath its fall. 



The fle(h is well tailed, and faid to be very nourifhing. The hide is 

 ftrong, and fo thick, that it has been often known to turn a mufket ball. 

 The fur, when viewed through a micro fcope, appears fpongy like a 

 bulrufh, and is fmaller at the roots and points than in the middle ; for 

 this reafon, it lies very fiat and fmooth, and though beaten and abufed 

 never fo much, always returns to its former ftate. 



THE R E I N-D E E R 



IS a native of the polar regions, and incapable of fufliaining more 

 temperate climates. From it the natives of Lapland and Green- 

 land fupply mioft of their wants ; like a horfe, it conveys them and their 

 fcanty furniture from mountain to mountain; like a cow it gives milk; 

 and like the fiieep, it fnrnilhes a warm, though homely clothing : the 

 milk affords cheefe, the flefli, food ; the tendons, bowflrings ; and when 

 fplit, thread ; the horns, glue ; the bones, fpoons. 



The rein-deer fomewhat refembles the tlk in its horns, has brow- 

 antlers, very large, and hanging over the eyes, palmated toward the 

 top, and bending forward. The rein-deer is much fmaller, lower, and 

 ftronger built than the fliag; its legs fhorter and thicker, its hoofs much 

 broader, its hair much thicker and warmer, its horns much larger, as 

 alfo its ears; its pace is rather a trot than a bounding, and this it can 

 continue for a whole day; its hoofs are cloven and moveable, fo that 

 it fpreads them abroad as it goes, to prevent finking in the fnow, which, 

 when it raifcs its feet again, occafions them to ttrike together with 

 an audible crack : the elk has the fame peculiarity. The female rein- 

 2 deer 



