182 The Reindeer. 



our own boots, was strong testimony against the wolf or fox being 

 able to do much at that season against hoofed animals. As llie 

 aiitomn frost sets in, and the snow again spreads its pall over the 

 death-like sceneiy of the noith, the wolves are seen hanging in 

 constant attendance upon the unfortuuate deer. 



They for prutectiuu and warmth, and following the natuial in- 

 stincts of giegavious animals, now commence to trcop together^ 

 forming large herds of does, bucks, and faAvns. Some have been 

 counted numbering 60 head. The stags are evident!}'- responsible 

 for the discipline of these large herds, as well as their safety : upon 

 the ktter head, Captain Mecham tells an amusing anecdote. 



In October 1852, he was crossing that portion of ]\Ielville Island 

 which intervenes between Liddou Gulf and Winter Ilaibour, and 

 fell in with as many as 300 head of deer ; indeed, he says reindeer 

 were always in sight in herds varying from 10 to 60 in number. 

 One of the<e herds, containing 20 head, he tried to stalk up to on 

 the 7ih October, but failed in getting a shot at them ; for allhough 

 the does, with the inherent failing of their sex, were extremely 

 curious, and made one or tvt^o eifoilsto escapefrora the herds, and 

 examine the •' strange gentleman," the stags would in nowise tole- 

 rate such conduct, chastised them rather soundly with their antlers, 

 and kept the herd together and moving, by running rapidly 

 round and round, uttering at the same time a strange noise which 

 seemed to alarm the herd, and keep it flying from the suspected 

 danger. 



The coat of these creatures, v,'hich during summer had become 

 I'cmarkabiy thin, and adapted admirably in colour to that of the 

 snow-denuded soil, now rapidly thickens and again I'eturns to its 

 pristine whiteness. It is not a fur, in the strict acceptance of the 

 term, but it forms an admirable non conducting substance. 



As winter advances, and food requires to be sought over larger 

 areas, the herds break into parties of 10 to 20 animals; the lichens, 

 a species of tripe-de-roche, the sprouts of the ground willow, as 

 well as Iceland moss, being their principal food. It must be re- 

 membered that arctic vegetation has no time in the autumn to 

 wither or decay ; whilst in full bloom, and before the juices have 

 time to return into the parent root or be otherwise dissipated, the 

 magic hand of the Frost King strikes them, and thus the wisdom 

 of the Creator has provided, for the nourishment of his creature?, 

 a fresh and warmth-ci'eating food, lyiug hid under a mantle of 

 snov/, wdiich the instinct of those arctic animals teaches them to 

 remove and reach the stores so beneficently prer.erved beneath. 



