352 UNGULATA. 



by the Esquimaux, for which it is very suitable, being 

 both light and impervious to cold. It is also used for 

 sleeping bags by the natives. By Europeans these skins 

 are generally used for leather. Some are made into 

 leather gloves, which are both pliant and durable. By 

 the Indians they are used for making snow-shoes. 



Several thousand skins are imported annually from 

 York Fort ; these are described as winter or summer 

 skins, and are sorted into three or four qualities. 

 Shaved skins are also sold from time to time. The 

 summer skins fetch a higher price, the pelt being 

 stouter at that season. The skins of Labrador Eeindeer 

 are very good, and about 800 are collected annually ; 

 these are sold in London, and sent to Germany to be 

 dressed. Some Russian Reindeer skins are imported 

 via Archangel from time to time. 



The skins of the young animals are made into excel- 

 lent linings in Russia, called Pijiky ; they are light, 

 warm, durable, and of a dark brown colour. The neck 

 and belly are sometimes made up separately. Several 

 thousand Reindeer tongues used to be imported annually 

 by the Hudson's Bay Company, but the importation has 

 ceased of late years, probably owing to the low prices 

 recently obtained (about 2s. to 6s. per dozen). The 

 flavour of these tongues was excellent. 



The Reindeer is very much troubled with the attacks 

 of the gadfly or tick, which in the summer lays its 

 eggs in its coat. These ticks form boils, or circular 

 masses of matter in the Reindeer's skin, causing great 

 pain to the animal, and reducing its condition, besides 

 lessening the value of the skin. 



The horns of the Barren Land Caribou, or American 

 Reindeer, are much larger than those of the usual 

 type. 



