XXI 



BARREN GROUND CARIBOU 



THE Barren Ground caribou is the mainstay of the 

 Northland Indian. It is his food, clothing, and means of 

 trade. Without it his miserable existence would be im- 

 possible. From its hide are made the capotes worn by 

 every man, woman, and child, and tanned of its hair it 

 furnishes him with mittens, moccasins, and the babiclic 

 with which he laces his snow-shoes and binds his sledge- 

 loads. Whatever he has of flesh, hide, or babiche over and 

 above his own needs he trades to the company. No part 

 of the caribou is wasted, except perhaps the hoofs and 

 antlers, and even the latter at times are used for knife- 

 handles. 



The stomach and its undigested contents, mixed with 

 blood and the liver torn into shreds, make one of the Ind- 

 ian's most savory puddings. The intestines in the Bar- 

 ren Grounds keep him from starvation when it is necessary 

 to give the meat to the dogs, and in his lodge, boiled, are 

 one of his most toothsome portions. The marrow is his 

 rarest tidbit, and the eyes, ears, and tongue are all delica- 

 cies. In fact, from the tongue to the organs of genera- 

 tion there is not a part of the caribou that does not fur- 

 nish food to the Indian. 



In general appearance the Barren Ground caribou is 

 very like the woodland caribou ; the difference between 

 them being in the lesser bulk and height and lighter color, 



