66 INTRODUCTION OF DOMESTIC REINDEER INTO ALASKA. 



the rearing and liaiidling of these interesting animals. At the present 

 time trained animals would bring $125 per head at Cape Nome. 



AVe are told that they can be reared at an expense not exceeding $7 

 per head; some say even as low as $4 per head. Mr. W. A. Kjellmann, 

 who has been the superintendent of the Goveriunent herd for several 

 years, tells us some interesting things concerning this animal. AVheii 

 not feeding or resting they spend most of the time in training their 

 horns, which while in the \elvet are very tender. By throwing their 

 heads ))ack on their shoulders the}" cause theui to curve forward, but 

 most of the training of the horns is done by their hind feet. This 

 they do by continually stroking the horn to bend it forward: they 

 start prongs where they please bj' kicking the tender shaft in a spot 

 till it bleeds, when a bud will start; b}^ turning their eyes in the sock- 

 ets the}^ seem to he able to look at their horns and endeavor to make 

 one correspond with the other. Seldom or never have they horns 

 alike. As proof of these statements he relates that one deer which 

 was l)lind in one eye was not able to train his horns on the blind side. 

 but that it grew in an ugl}' shape; another deer which was injured in 

 its thigh and was not able to use its hind feet as heretofore had its 

 horns grow up in straight shafts. Another interesting fact is that 

 there is an oil duct between the toes of their hind feet, and that when 

 the animal sheds its horns he keeps the place well oiled by rubbing his 

 foot over it. It is known that in parts of Siberia these animals are 

 larger than the ones now obtained from the Chuckchee. Photo- 

 graphs of them carrying Russian engineers and their theodolites have 

 been seen. The Bureau of Education is now endeavoring to make the 

 necessar}' agreement with Russian merchants to furnish a number of 

 these animals, and, in fact, to supply as many as can be purchased. 



Late this fall two white traders, who are married to Eskimo women 

 and who have been successful at Cape Nome, have applied to Dr. Jack- 

 son each for a herd of 100 head, to be taken at the price which it costs 

 the Government. How can it be possible for the Government to make 

 a mistake in fostering and encouraging such an enterprise^ 



