150 FROM NORTH POLE TO EQUATOR. 



value; the skin, on the other hand, finds ready sale at six to eight 

 roubles ^^ a hide, and affords the professional huntsman sufficient 

 recompense for his trouble and exertions. 



The wild reindeer belongs strictly to the tundra, but it also 

 occurs throughout the whole extent of the forest-zone. Along the 

 eastern slopes of the Urals it is frequent both in the depths of the 

 forest and on the mountain heights, and the huntsmen of these 

 parts accordingly speak with a certain emphasis of forest-reindeer 

 and mountain-reindeer, and seem inclined to attribute different 

 characteristics to the two kinds; though they cannot define their 

 distinctive marks. The reindeer is less shy of populated districts 

 than any other deer, which perhaps best explains the fact that 

 every year among those living in freedom individuals are captured 

 with slit ears and brand-marks. These have probably escaped from 

 the herds of the Samoyedes and Ostiaks during the breeding 

 season, and have wandered southwards till they met a wild stock 

 to which they attached themselves. Once free from bondage, they 

 very rapidly assume all the habits of wild life. But neither these 

 escaped truants nor the wild forms are regarded by the forest-folk 

 as of much moment among the beasts of the chase. Reindeer are 

 indeed captured wherever, whenever, or however that may be 

 possible; but apart from a few specially keen hunters of Russian 

 origin only the natives pursue them with persistence and eager- 

 ness. 



Excepting the Semites and the Russians, all sensible people 

 include hares among edible game. In consequence of this exception, 

 the variable hare of Western Siberia is hunted only by educated 

 and unprejudiced Siberians of Russian origin, and by the natives of 

 the North, who are uninfluenced by any laws of diet. Even the 

 skin of the snowy hare, since it loses its fur very readily, has little 

 value in the eyes of the huntsman, and perhaps for this reason is 

 presented by the heathen peoples as an offering to the gods. Yet 

 in spite of the indifference with which the forest-folk regard this 

 rodent so highly prized by us, the hare is nowhere plentiful. Many 

 perish in the traps; the majority are caught by wolves, foxes, and 

 lynxes; and the severe winter, which often impels them to long 



