264 THROUGH CANADA 



resort. Higher up still they frequent Cassiar terri- 

 tory. The finest specimens are found in the northern 

 regions. 



The caribou, mus-keek-as-tik of the Western Cree 

 and a-akh of the Salteaux, has two varieties : the 

 mountain caribou, Rangifcr montakus, and the 

 Osborn, Rangifev osbovni. Naturalists are not agreed 

 as to whether these are distinct species or only 

 varieties. Climate and habits work such changes 

 that the same species develop different characteristics, 

 very confusing to an exact classification. The caribou 

 is the reindeer of America, and has many points in 

 common with the Lapland congener. It stands 

 from 3^ feet to 4^ feet in height, and is 6 feet long, 

 with a short tail, 4 or 5 inches. It is much heavier than 

 the common deer, and lacks its graceful movements. 

 The body is short and thick, and the neck in pro- 

 portion. Its hoofs are spread to a degree that gives 

 it firm foothold in the snow regions which it frequents. 

 The breadth of its feet also aids it in swimming. The 

 hairs, which are tubular and filled with air, add to the 

 buoyancy of its heavy body in the water. In flight it 

 travels at enormous speed, and is capable of outpacing 

 the fastest pursuer. Once away, hunters rarely 

 follow it. The body is a greyish dun, growing 

 lighter towards the throat. The neck is white, the 

 shoulders spotted. The legs are brown, and a white 

 band encircles the hoofs. 



When in movement, a pungent substance is 



