142 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
the hairs are darker beneath than at or near their outer ends, 
which is the exact reverse of what we observe on the other species. 
The under coat of fur on the Caribou is very abundant, and is 
of the color of the hairs among which it is found. Of the coat 
and coloring of the Barren-ground Caribou, Sir John Richardson 
gives this description: ‘ In the month of July the caribou sheds 
its winter covering and acquires a short smooth coat of hair, of a 
color composed of clove-brown mingled with deep reddish and 
yellowish browns; the under surface of the neck and belly, and 
the inner sides of the extremities, remaining white in all seasons. 
The hair at first is fine and flexible, but as it lengthens it in- 
creases gradually in diameter at its roots, becoming at the same 
time white, soft, compressible and brittle, like the hair of the 
moose-deer. In the course of the winter, the thickness of the 
hairs at their roots becomes so great that they are exceedingly 
close and no longer lie down smoothly, but stand erect, and 
they are then so soft and tender below that the flexible and 
colored points are easily rubbed off and that the fur appears 
white, especially on the flanks. This occurs in a smaller degree 
on the back; and on the under parts the hair, although it ac- 
quires length, remains more flexible and slender at its roots and 
is consequently not so subject to break. Towards the spring, 
when the deer are tormented by the larve of the gad-fly making 
their way through the skin, they rub themselves against stones 
and rocks, until all the colored tips of the hair are worn off and 
their fur appears to be of a soiled white color.”’ 
This certainly gives us a very clear account of the winter coat, 
from its first appearance till towards the spring, at least. It is 
very clear that it never occurred to our author to inquire whether 
the animal has two pelages, or but one during the year. That 
question evidently never engaged his attention, and he made no 
careful observations for the express purpose of elucidating it. 
Had he done so he would no doubt have settled it conclusively. 
As it is, I think further observations are required. 
The new coat described is like the new winter coat of the 
other species, which usually comes on in September, upon the 
loss of the summer coat. It is “a short smooth coat of hair.” 
If there are two pelages, the casting of the summer coat could 
hardly have occurred before August or September. But can it be 
that the winter coat is carried till July. 
Our author says: “In May the females proceed towards the sea- 
coast... . . Soon after their arrival on the coast, the females 
