98 NATURAL HISTORY. 
its feet. It is gregarious both in the wild and in the 
domesticated state. So important is this animal to the 
Laplander, that his wealth is estimated by the number 
of Reindeer which he has, just as that of the patriarchs 
of old, and the Arabs of the present time, is estimated 
by the number of their herds, and flocks, and camels. 
A Laplander in good circumstances has several hundred, 
and some have not less than two thousand. The Gadfly 
and the Mosquito are so annoying to the Reindeer, that 
the Laplander is obliged to make periodical migrations 
with his herd to the mountains to escape them. 
167. The Axis Deer, Fig. 82,1s a beautiful animal. It 
A 
Fig. 82.—The Axis Deer. 
is a native of India. Its horns are slender, and are di- 
vided quite regularly into three branches. Its usual 
color is a fawn yellow, with regular white spots, and a 
black stripe running down the back. 
168. The Moschide take their name from that pecul- 
iarly strong perfume called musk, which is obtained from 
one of the species. They resemble the Deer family in 
