DEER KIND. 



53 



to them. This insect is bred under their skins, 

 where the egg has been deposited the preceding 

 summer ; and it is no sooner produced as a fly, 

 than it again endeavours to deposit its eggs in 

 some place similar to that from whence it came. 

 Whenever, therefore, it appears flying over a herd 

 of rein-deer, it puts the whole body, how nume- 

 rous soever, into motion ; they know their enemy, 

 and do all they can, by tossing their horns, -and 

 running among each other, to terrify or avoid it. 

 All their endeavours, however, are too generally 

 without effect ; the gadfly is seen to deposit its 

 eggs, which burrowing under the skin, wound it 

 in several places, and often bring on an incurable 

 disorder. In the morning, therefore, as soon as 

 the Lapland herdsman drives his deer to pasture, 

 his greatest care is to keep them from scaling the 

 summits of the mountains where there is no food, 

 but where they go merely to be at ease from the 

 gnats and gadflies that are ever annoying them. 

 At this time there is a strong contest between the 

 dogs and the deer ; the one endeavouring to climb 

 up against the side of the hill, and to gain those 

 summits that are covered in eternal snows ; the 

 other forcing them down, by barking and threat- 

 ening, and in a manner compelling them into the 

 places where their food is in the greatest plenty. 

 There the men and dogs confine them, guarding 

 them with the utmost precaution the whole day, 

 and driving them home at the proper seasons for 

 milking. 



The female brings forth in the middle of May, 

 and gives milk till about the middle of October. 



VOL. II. Z 



