THE CARIBOU. 101 



approaches as near as possible -without being seen, then throws himself on the 

 ground, draws his coat of skins over his head, and arranges it so as to 

 resemble somewhat the form of a Deer. He then attracts the animal's attention 

 by a loud bellow. Urged on by curiosity, the silly Caribou approaches to 

 examine the mysterious object, capering about and Tunning round in circles. 

 Meanwhile the Indian lies perfectly still, well knowing that his prey will not 

 be satisfied until he can get a near view. When within a short distance, ten or 

 twenty yards, the hunter shoots him with an arrow. 



Before the introduction of fire-arms^which are common at present 

 amongst nearly all the North American tribes — the Indians used their bows 

 and ariows, however simple and rude in construction, with singular expertness 

 and deadly effect. 



Another mode of capturing the Arctic Caribou may be thus described, and 

 it may be easily imagined that the process results in the most extensive and 

 deadly slaughter: A large inclosure of brush, sometimes a mile in circum- 

 ference, is constructed, with a narrow entrance, situated upon one of the most 

 frequented paths or runways of the Deer. Within are a multitude of winding 

 lanes formed of the same material. In these they place a great many snares 

 made of Deer-skin thongs of great strengtli; and then by various expedients the 

 hunters manage to drive a herd of Deer into the inclosure. The terrified ani- 

 mals run about in all directions through the winding avenues, become entangled 

 in the snares, and soon the whole herd is killed. Great numbers, it is said, are 

 slain in this way; and some families are so successful that they do not require 

 to remove their tents more than two or three times in a season. 



The late Elkanah Billings, one of the leading paleontolo- 

 gists of his time, and a naturalist of distingnished ability, 

 thus speaks of the Barren-ground Caribou: 



From all the information we have been able to collect upon the subject, the 

 Tarandus Arcticus never travels so far south as Canada, although its near rela- 

 tive, the Woodland Caribou, is abundant in certain parts of the province (now 

 the dominion). Audubon and Bachman state that from the " Barren 

 Grounds" it I'anges westward across the continent; and that it is mentioned by 

 several authoi's as inhabiting the Fox, or Aleutian, Islands. 



At the present day, it is a well-known fact that the Cari- 

 bou, most likely the Arctic species, is quite abundant in 

 Alaska. Mr. Billings continues: 



It is not found so far to the soutliward on the Pacific or the Atlantic Coast, 

 nor on tlic Kocky Mountains witliin the limits of the United States. In every 

 part of Arctic. America, inchuling the region from Hudson's Bay to far within 

 the Arctic Circle, the Barren-ground Caribou is met with in greater or lesser 

 abundance. 



I have devoted considerable space and as much care as 

 possible in the foregoing authentic — so far as my researches 



