34 REPORT ON THE INTRODUCTION OF 



fur side to the body, the other with the fur outside, a pair of skin socks, 

 a pair of boots, and a pair of mittens, the whole probably requiring ten 

 skins, it will be seen that a small fortune, in the way Eskimo estimate 

 capital, is necessary to procure them. 



The price demanded by the Siberians for skins makes them a luxury, 

 as they must be paid for in furs, and this will be more readily under- 

 stood after reference to that portion of my report respecting the scarcity 

 of fur-bearing animals in this country. 



The light or summer skins are used for the under suit, gloves, mittens, 

 legs of boots, and fancy articles 5 the heavy or winter skin for outside 

 clothing and for bedding. 



Among the most valuable parts of the reindeer skin is that of the 

 legs from the knees to the hoofs. The skin is tough and can be dressed 

 very thin, even if taken in winter. The fur is fine, thick, and short, 

 and, when made up, is impervious to cold. Besides being so very 

 warm, the snow does not adhere to them as to the rest of the skin. 



The teeth of the reindeer consist of a row on the front of the lower 

 jaw and a row of back teeth on both upper and lower jaws. Those in 

 front are used with the upper lip to pull off feed and the back ones for 

 masticating it and for chewing the cud. They are able to pick off grass 

 and willow sprouts with considerable ease, and moss lies so loosely on 

 the ground that it offers but little resistance. 



Occasionally a belt is seen worn by a native woman made from the 

 teeth of the reindeer. Bat they were gathered at a time when they 

 were a trophy of the hunt and chase. 



The hoof of the reindeer seems at a glance to be too large for the animal, 

 in proportion to its body and legs, but when traveling in damp snow, 

 or where the soil is miry, it is seen they were given him for a wise 

 purpose. 



At the bottom they are as wide as a good-sized steer's, and spread 

 over a surface sufficient to prevent him from settling down to any depth. 



It is known how useful an ox is in soft ground, and how easily he 

 can pull a load where a horse would give up in despair; and the same 

 good purpose serves the reindeer in what appears to be a clumsy and 

 awkward extremity to the delicately formed legs of this fleet animal. 



One thing that struck me strangely when the first consignment of 

 reindeer was received at the stntion was the quickness with which a 

 small bunch of them would get back to the main herd after they had 

 become separated, and tins peculiarity, I am glad to say, seems to be 

 intuitive. 



The reindeer were landed on the beach, their feet tied with straps, 

 and they were either led up to the level land back of the station, or 

 carried there, and then set free. They no sooner found themselves at 

 liberty than they started at a brenkneck speed in whichever direction 

 their dazed condition suggested. After they had run a mile or so they 

 gradually slackened their pace, and, after stopping to take their bear- 



