332 NEWFOUNDLAND 



we do not understand. Even the purpose of the human 

 glands are not yet understood. 



The feet of the caribou are better adapted for running 

 on bogs, snow, and ice than anything that the brain of man 

 could devise. In a morass a 200-lb. man sinks in much deeper 

 than a 400-lb. caribou, whilst the former on snow-shoes or 

 " ski " has no chance whatever with the sure-footed reindeer. 

 I remember once pursuing some reindeer along the side of 

 a steep mountain in Norway when we came to a " snow-brae " 

 going up and over the mountain. It was so steep that it was 

 quite impossible to follow the deer in their ascent without the 

 help of an ice-axe to cut steps. Until then I had no idea 

 that these deer possessed such activity on snow and ice, for 

 their movements could only have been equalled by mountain 

 sheep, ibex, or markhor. 



The hair of the caribou is very light and porous. It is 

 not thought that the deer possess wool, but the shoulders of 

 the adult Newfoundland caribou male are covered with a 

 soft, silky brown wool, which rises above the ordinary coat 

 of hair in October. The hair is so light that it causes this 

 deer to swim higher in the water than any other species. It 

 is so buoyant that it has been used to stuff life-belts, whilst 

 Dr. Wintz has invented a cloth of reindeer hair which when 

 made into clothes prevents the human body from sinking. 

 In consequence of the natural advantages of its covering the 

 caribou takes to the water with readiness and can swim long 

 distances at a considerable speed. It makes two men put 

 forth all their power as paddlers to overtake them in the water, 

 through which they can pass at five miles an hour. When 

 unmolested they go much slower, say three miles an hour, 

 and are very careful to take the wind of any spot they have 

 selected as a landing-place. 



