128 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIK 



curve to the front, is one of the most noticeable and 

 ornamental attributes of the species. 



The horns of different specimens vary greatly in form 

 both as regards the development of palmation and the 

 position of the principal branches. As a general rule, 

 the horns of the Norwegian reindeer are (according to 

 my impression) less subject to palmation of the main 

 shaft, which is longer, and broadens only at the top 

 where the principal tines are thrown off. I have, how- 

 ever, met with precisely the same form in antlers from 

 the Labrador. The accompanying figures will illustrate 

 the forms alluded to. The middle snag of the cariboo's 

 horn is also more developed than in the case of the 

 European variety. 



In most instances there is but one well-developed 

 brow antler, the other being a solitary curved prong ; 

 sometimes, however, as shown in the illustration, very 

 handsome specimens occur of two perfect brow snags 

 meeting in front of the forehead, the prongs interweaving 

 like the fingers of joined hands. 



Except in the case of the does and young bucks, 

 which retain theirs till spring, it is seldom that horns are 

 seen in a herd of cariboo after Christmas. The reason 

 to which the retention of the horns by the female reindeer 

 during winter has been attributed by some speculative 

 writers — namely, in order to clear away the deep encrusted 

 snow, and enable her fawns to get at the moss beneath 

 — is simply wrong. The animal never uses any other 

 means than its hoofs to scrape for its moss ; whilst the 

 thin sharp prongs of the doe would prove anything but an 

 efficient shovel. The latter and true mode of proceeding 

 I have often watched when worming through the bushes 



