HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 129 



often prove refractory, and not only refuse to obey 

 their master, but turn against him, and strike so 

 furiously with their feet, that his only resource is to 

 cover himself with his sledge, upon which the en- 

 raged creature vents its fury; the tame Deer, on 

 the contrary, is patient, active, and willing. When 

 hard pushed, the Rein-Deer will trot the distance 

 of sixty miles without stopping; but in such exer- 

 tions, the poor obedient creature fatigues itself so 

 exceedingly, that its master is frequently obliged 

 to kill it immediately, to prevent a lingering death 

 that would ensue. In general they can go about 

 thirty miles without stopping; and that without 

 any great or dangerous effort. This mode of travel- 

 ling can be performed only in the winter season, 

 when the face of the country is covered with snow; 

 and although the conveyance is speedy, it is incon- 

 venient, dangerous, and troublesome. 



As the Rein-Deer constitutes the sole riches of 

 the Laplander, it may well be supposed that a con- 

 stant attention to preserve and secure it, forms the 

 chief employment of his life. It is not uncommon 

 for one person to possess above five hundred in a 

 single herd. 



As soon as summer appears, which forms but a 

 short interval from the most piercing cold, the Lap- 

 lander, who had fed his Rein-Deer upon the lower 

 grounds during the winter, drives them up to the 

 mountains, leaving the woody country and the low 

 pastures, which at that season are in a state truly 

 deplorable. Myriads of insects, brought to life by 

 the heat of the sun in the woods and fens with 

 which that country abounds, are all upon the wing; 

 the whole atmosphere swarms with life ; every 

 place and every creature is infested ; the natives 



VOL. III. R 



