102 THE KARJACOU, OR VIRGINIAN DEER. 



with their tongues the saline particles adhering to the sur- 

 rounding stones, where the salt has crystallized from the eva- 

 poration of the water. 



They are at all times thirsty, and they require constant 

 draughts of pure water, to obtain which they are sure to visit 

 the nearest stream or spring as night is about to close over 

 the scene. Wherever the tenderest herbage grows upon the 

 plain, there the karjacou comes to crop it during summer. In 

 winter he finds an abundant supply of food from the buds and 

 berries, or fallen fruits ; or, when snow is on the ground, he 

 eats the string moss hanging in masses from the trees. He 

 willingly takes to the water, and will cross a lake or broad river, 

 swimming at a rapid rate with his whole body submerged, 

 his head alone appearing above the surface ; thus he will often 

 baffle his pursuers, even though they may follow him with a 

 boat. He has been known, indeed, when hard pressed near 

 the sea-coast, to plunge into the ocean, and buffeting the waves, 

 to make his way far from the land, rather than be captured. 



His flesh affords the Indian a large portion of his winter 

 supply of food, while his skin is manufactured into clothing, 

 the leather from it being especially soft and pliable. From 

 the settlers in the western provinces he receives little mercy, 

 as, without hesitation, he leaps their fences, banqueting on 

 their growing corn or vegetables; and, after doing all the mis- 

 chief in his power, by his activity generally again makes his 

 escape. No animal surpasses in beauty the young fawn, the 

 fur of which is of a ruddy brown tint, ornamented with white 

 spots arranged in irregular lines, merging occasionally into 

 wide stripes. 



Like others of his tribe, the male is excessively combative 

 when meeting others of his own species; and a story is told of 



