THE CARIBOO, OR REINDEER, 93 



there charred stumps rise from the green-sward ; in some 

 spots clumps of spruce are seen, against which the white 

 stems of the graceful birch stand out in bold relief ; while the 

 bank of some stream, or the margin of a lake, is marked by 

 fringing thickets of alder. In many parts are moist, swampy 

 bogs, into which the sportsman sinks ankle-deep at every 

 step. The ground, however, is everywhere thickly carpeted 

 by a luxuriant growth of a species of lichen. It possesses 

 wonderfully nutritive qualities ; so much so, that large quan- 

 tities of alcohol have lately been extracted from it, as well as 

 from other lichens growing in sub-arctic regions. It is the 

 chief food of the cariboo, which animal frequents these deso- 

 late-looking " barrens." 



Visiting one of these " barrens," we may perchance fall in 

 with several of the noble-looking animals known in Europe 

 and Asia as the reindeer, though we must look sharp to 

 recognize them ; for so similar are they in colour to the rocks 

 and general features of the ground, that only the keen eye of 

 the Indian can easily detect them, especially when they are 

 lying down. Should we approach them on the weather-side, 

 or should the slightest noise be made, they will quickly detect 

 us. Up they spring, and after a brief stare, make off in 

 graceful bounds at a rapid rate. Now, having got beyond 

 danger, they drop into a long swinging trot, and proceed in 

 single file across the " barren," till they enter the line of forest 

 in the far distance. 



The cariboo of North America is a strongly-built, thick- 

 set animal, compared to the more graceful of his relatives. 

 He carries on his head a pair of magnificent antlers, varying 

 greatly in different specimens some palmating towards the 

 upper ends, others with branches springing from the palmatcd 



