THE REIN-DEER. 



Utility, enemies, &c. 



glue; and the bones, spoons. During the winter 

 the rein-deer also supplies the want of a horse, 

 and draws their sledges across the frozen lakes 

 and rivers, or over the snow, with surprising 

 velocity. 



Hence our admired poet Thomson has ele- 

 gantly observed, 



" Their rein-deer form their riches: these their tents, 

 Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth 

 Supply ; their wholesome fare, and cheerful cups : 

 Obsequious at their call, the docile tribe 

 Yield to the sledge their necks, and whirl them swift 

 O'er hill and dale, heap'd into one expanse 

 Of marbled snow, as far as eye can sweep, 

 With a blue crest of ice unbounded glaz'd." 



These animals are gregarious, and may some- 

 times be seen in flocks of a thousand each. In 

 autumn they seek the highest hills to avoid an 

 insect called the Lapland gad-fly; which > atthat 

 time, deposits its eggs in their skin; and not un- 

 frequently occasions their death. The moment 

 a single fly appears, the whole herd fling up their 

 heads, toss about their horns, and at once attempt 

 to fly for shelter amidst the snows of the loftiest 

 Alps. They have also other enemies, among 

 which are bears and wolves; but they are fre- 

 quently able to defend themselves against these 

 animals, and even to drive them off. In summer 

 tkjE.y regale on a variety of plants; but during 

 w> ^ f er they feed principally on the rein-deer 

 li\ rvvort ; which they industriously dig up from 

 beneath the snow, with their feet and antlers. 



