BARREN GROUND CARIBOU. S9 



this species, so called ; but the structure of the Barren Ground and 

 woodland varieties of Caribou is most likely the same, and the dif- 

 ference in size and horns is probably due to climate and food, 

 while the migrations in contrary directions of the two ' varieties 

 in the barren grounds ' and ' woodland districts ' of Sir John 

 Richardson, may be accounted for by the fact that each is taking 

 its nearest course to the sea coast. 



" Dr. Gilpin, in a paper read a few years since, says, speaking 

 of the varieties, ' Reindeer, Caribou, and Woodland Caribou, are 

 their local names. In addition to this the extreme north possesses 

 a deer smaller than any of those, with much larger horns, and 

 with no gall bladder ; otherwise the same. Sir John Richardson 

 calls them a permanent variety, naming them Barren Ground 

 Caribou. The absence of the gall bladder seems a very great di- 

 vergence ; yet can any one tell me has our Caribou one .' ' With 

 regard to the gall bladder I know that Dr. Gilpin has been for some 

 time aware that our Caribou does not possess one, but he has not 

 mentioned the peculiar form of the Hver, nor do I think that it has 

 been previously noticed." 



The Barren Ground Caribou inhabits Arctic America, and in 

 its migrations it is said never to proceed farther south than Fort 

 Churchill, which is situated near the fifty-ninth parallel of latitude. 

 It is, when compared with the Woodland variety, quite a small ani- 

 mal, a buck in fair condition weighing when dressed only about 

 one hundred pounds. Nor is it as shy and difficult of approach as 

 the preceding species, no doubt because it is not so much hunted. 



At the approach of winter, this species, which has passed the 

 summer on the shores and islands of the Arctic Sea, retires south- 

 ward to the wooded districts, where it feeds on the mosses and 

 lichens which hang from the trees, and on the long grass of the 

 swamps. In May the females commence their advance northward 

 and are followed by the males about a month later. Except du- 

 ring the rutting season, the males and females do not associate to- 

 gether, but live in separate herds. The females give birth to their 

 young on reaching the coast, and by the time the return journey is 

 commenced, which is in September, the fawns are well grown and 

 strong. 



The Barren Ground Caribou is said to constitute almost the 



