5oo TRAVELS OF A NATURALIST 



used for three or four or more deer, and that on the left 

 side, where the leading deer is always harnessed. If it 

 be desired to make the deer go to the right the rein is 

 struck against the left side of the leading deer, and if to 

 the left, the rein is pulled or jerked towards the driver 

 once or more times. A long pole is also carried, and used 

 either as a spikeless goad, or to hit them with on the 

 hind quarters. 



The reindeer of the different herds are known to their 

 owners by certain ' lug-marks.' 



The- harness is so arranged by a simple sliding through 

 perforated pieces of bone, so that the deer must pull 

 equally ; otherwise the hind quarters of the lazy deer 

 come against the sledge. 



Two bent pieces of bone lie over the forehead and down 

 the side of the head, to which the rein is attached, and, 

 passing along the deer's side, rests in a support of bone 

 (which is sometimes neatly carved, and which is attached 

 to the belt which encircles the chest), and is thus prevented 

 from getting entangled amongst the deer's feet. The 

 harness is attached to a collar of reindeer leather with 

 the fur on, and passes between the chest band and the 

 body and between the hind-legs of the deer. 



The driver sits on the left, or near side, of the sledge, 

 sideways, with his feet swinging above the runner. 



In summer, when the tundras are impassable for horses 

 and men on foot, reindeer can pass over them lightly and 

 safely, owing to the immense spread of the hoofs. 



In summer the Samoyedes stay much in their tents, 

 making the various appliances required for their necessities 

 of life, such as bone-fixings for the harness, clothes, etc. 



In winter they come down to the towns to barter or 

 buy food and vodky, but many of the poorer ones who 

 possess no reindeer stay in the towns all summer and act 

 as servants or earn their living by begging. 



