448 WILD ANIMALS. 



horns, though they are more frequently present in both, especially 

 in the case of the older males ; and it is doubtless their peculiarity 

 of form which has led to the belief that they are intended by 

 nature for the purpose of removing the snows of winter in search 

 of food. The fact, however, that the male animal sheds his horns 

 about the commencement of that season demolishes the theory in 

 his case ; and it is well known that he uses for this purpose his 

 fore-feet and muzzle only, the skin of which latter is exceedingly 

 hard and tough." 



In Lapland, where the reindeer constitutes the most important 

 possession of the people, the animals are found in a wild as well 

 as a domesticated state, the former being slightly larger than 

 the tame ones. The domesticated reindeer supplies the Lap- 

 lander with nourishment and clothing, and not only does it con- 

 stitute his support, but it is the object of his pride and happiness, 

 for his whole wealth is estimated by the number ■ of these animals 

 he possesses. The man who owns many hundreds of them has 

 attained the highest pinnacle of good fortune, but a traveller 

 who studied the habits of this curious people states that on this 

 account he will never think of altering his mode of living in the 

 slightest degree, or of adding to his enjoyments, except, perhaps, 

 by considerably increasing his daily supply of brandy. 



From Tromholt's^ popular book, many particulars can be 

 learnt respecting the Laplanders and their reindeer, which are 

 the most important factors in their domestic economy. " They 

 are his fields and meadows, cows and horses ; and from them he 

 obtains every article which the townsman purchases at his stores. 

 The reindeer furnishes the Lapp with food, clothes, and labour ; it 

 supplies him with milk, cheese, meat, and money. The skin is 

 used for clothes and furs, the skin of the head and feet for shoe- 

 leather, and from the sale of the products of the reindeer he 

 obtains every other requisite, such as vadmel for clothes and tent, 

 flour, salt, spirits, tools, and nicknacks, while from the sinews 

 thread is made by the women, and from the horns or bones, tools 

 and glue." 



3 " Under the Eays of the Aurora Borealis," hy Sophus Tromholt, edited by Carl 

 Siewers. 



