THE WILD REINDEER OF NORWAY. 95 



how you meddle with reindeer in Finmark. The Lapps 

 are good shots, and very handy with their rifles. 



I shall now, after having given the principal habitats 

 (and I may state that my information has been 

 derived directly from several of the best and most 

 experienced Norwegian hunters), allude to the habits of 

 the wild reindeer, together with some occasional re- 

 marks as to the manner of hunting them, which will, I 

 think, prove of general use; but, before doing so, I 

 would venture to caution any Englishman against going 

 up the fjelds too lightly clad. We are not as a nation 

 given to muffle up, and are rather apt to run into the 

 opposite extreme. But for reindeer hunting it is quite 

 necessary to have thick and warm clothing ; for it often 

 happens that the sportsman will have to lie concealed 

 for hours behind a rock after having got into a tre- 

 mendous perspiration, and the sharp mountain air, and 

 now and then a snow-storm (by no means a rarity 

 at high altitudes in August), not to speak of a drench- 

 ing rain, rapidly reduce the temperature of the body, 

 and a severe cold may be the result. Prudence is ab- 

 solutely necessary ; for to be laid up with a rheumatic 

 fever, with no better accommodation than a saeter can 

 afford, and the attendance of a saeter pige (girl), whatever 

 be her charms (and I confess I never could detect them), 

 out of reach of doctor, and 1,000 miles from home, is 

 not the most pleasing predicament to find oneself in. 



