THE fiUMINANT OEDEE. 295 



leagues and a half an hour. At the end of the journey the poor 

 animal is reported to have died. 



The mode of harnessing and driving the Reindeer is most 

 simple. A collar of skin is fastened round its neck, and from 

 this a trace hangs down,, which, passing under the belly, is 

 fastened into a hole bored in the front of the sledge. The 

 rein consists of a single cord fastened to the root of the animal's 

 antlers, and the driver drops it on the right or left side of the 

 back, according to the side to which he wishes to direct the 

 animal. The vehicle being very light, travelling may be rapidly 

 performed in this equipage, but not without running some risk 

 of breaking your neck ; for, to avoid being upset, one must be 

 very skilful in this sort of locomotion. The Laplander is a 

 perfect master of this art. 



We have not yet mentioned the most important articles this 

 Ruminant of the arctic regions yields Man. The female produces 

 milk superior to that of the Cow, and from it butter and cheese 

 of excellent quality are made. Its flesh, which is nutritious and 

 sweet, forms a precious alimentarj^ resource, and almost the only 

 one in the polar regions. Its coat furnishes thick and warm 

 clothing, and its skin is converted into strong and supple leather. 

 The long hairs on the neck of this animal are also used for sewing, 

 while out of its tendons is manufactiired string. From the old 

 antlers of the Reindeer various utensils are made, such as spoons, 

 knife-handles, &c., and when the horns are young, gelatine is 

 extracted from them by submitting them to a severe course of 

 boiling. Their excrement, when dried, is formed into bricks, 

 which serve for fuel. Many tribes even turn to advantage the 

 cropped lichens contained in the stomach of a slaughtered animal. 

 The Esquimaux and Grreenlanders add to these lichens chopped 

 meat, blood, and fat ; when this is smoke-dried, they are extremely 

 fond of it. The Toungouses, or nomadic inhabitants of Siberia, 

 add wild berries to the above northern delicacy, then make it into 

 cakes, which rank high among the articles of their cuisine. 



The Reindeer is truly an invaluable companion to the people of 

 high latitudes. The poorest Laplander possesses at least several 

 pairs ; while the wealthy have immense herds of from four to five 

 hundred, even sometimes of several thousand of these animals. 

 During the day they are taken to graze ; and at night they are 



