RANGIFER GROENLANDICUS, Bairp. 
Barren-ground Caribou. 
Rangifer Groenlandicus. . . . Bargp, Pacific R. R. Rep., VIII. 
634. 
Cervus tarandus Groenlandicus. Kerr, Linn., 297. 
Cervus tarandus, var. a, Arctica. Ricuarpson, F. B. A., 241.. 
Common Deer. . . . . . . Hearne, Journey, 200. 
* Barren-ground Caribou. . . . Ricwarvson, F. B. A., 241. 
Tarandus arcticus, . . . . . Barrp, U.S. Pat. Off. Rep. Agr. 
for 1851, 105. 
This animal is of the reindeer type, but is much smaller than C. taran- 
dus, and indeed is smaller than any of the deer which we have hitherto 
described. Antlers much longer and more slender than those of the 
woodland caribou. The tines are very erratic in form, some of which 
are palmated. In color it strongly resembles the larger species of rein- 
deer, though it is of appreciably lighter color. In the specimen before 
me the legs, instead of the brown color of the other species, are white 
with a brown shade on the anterior side, extending half way down. In- 
stead of a white section around the top of each hoof, the whole foot is 
white to some distance above the accessory hoofs, where the brown hairs 
in front begin to invade the white. Metatarsal gland absent. Tarsal 
gland present. 
GENERAL REMARKS. 
I confess to feeling a very great interest in this little reindeer, 
and exceedingly regret the want of an opportunity to study it in 
its arctic home, or even to inspect a living specimen; my own 
observations have been confined to mounted specimens, to skins, 
feet, and legs in my collection. From these I can understand 
sufficient for a’simple monograph of the animal, but for all else 
necessarily I am indebted to the observations of others, both 
printed, written, and oral. Fortunately, I have met with some 
very intelligent gentlemen who have spent years of their lives 
where they abound, and whose observations are of the greatest 
value. The specific place to which this animal is entitled in nat- 
ural history, has not been definitely settled by naturalists. Sir 
John Richardson very strongly intimates that it is his, opinion 
that it is a distinct species from the woodland caribou, yet he 
