THE REINDEER 451 



according to tTie nature of the surface on wticli it moves. When 

 the snow is on the ground, and in a soft state, the broadness of 

 the hoofs, which it then spreads out so as almost to equal in size 

 those of a horse, gives it a firmer support on the snow, and 

 hinders it from sinking so deep in as it would otherwise do; 

 though it does not prevent it at times from plunging even to a 

 great depth, particularly after a recent fall of snow, before the 

 surface has acquired firmness sufficient to bear the weight of the 

 animal." 



" The snapping or clicking noise, which is heard when the 

 animal walks, is occasioned by the contraction of the hoofs when 

 the foot is raised from the ground, and the consequent striking of 

 the inner parts of the hoofs against each other. This noise is 

 perhaps of no inconsiderable advantage in enabling the herd when 

 scattered, to rejoin each other, as from the acuteness of their 

 hearing, it is audible at a considerable distance. 



" No other animal probably has so thick and so close a coat as 

 the reindeer, which is thus well protected against the severity of 

 the climate it inhabits. Of all the garments worn by the inhabi- 

 tants of the Polar regions, none can be compared with those made 

 of the reindeer skin for effectually resisting the cold. The Lap- 

 lander is fully sensible of this, and every part of his winter 

 clothing is made from their fur. The hairs composing their coat 

 are indeed so thick, that it is hardly possible by separating them 

 in anv way, to discern the least portion of the naked hide. At 

 the lower part of the neck, a thick tuft of long hair hangs down, 

 and serves as an additional protection to this part against the 



cold. 



" The o-eneral colour of the animal during the summer is 

 considerably darker than in winter, and when it gets its new coat 

 the fur is thin, but as winter approaches, it thickens in an extra- 

 ordinary manner, becoming of a greyish brown : and the flanks, 

 breast, and lower part of the neck, are then of a greyish white." 



The average duration of the reindeer's life is estimated at nine 

 or ten years, but occasionally it will live to the age of sixteen. 



In summer these animals feed on the leaves and tender shoots 

 of certain trees and mountain shrubs. They also browse upon the 



Gg 2 



