NATURAL HISTORY of NORWAY. it 



and the branches are turned forwards as well as backwards. Iri 

 this diocefe, as well as other places, they run wild about the 

 country, and are fhot and fold like other game j their flefh is 

 very delicate, fomething drier than the hart; and their hide, 

 which is fine and foft, is very much fought for by the curriers, 

 tanners, and leather-dreflers. They run at Harangerfke Snee- 

 field in flocks of one, two, or three hundred together j fb that 

 with one fhot you may kill three or four. If they are fhot in 

 the middle of the flock the dead will then be trod to pieces, and 

 be of no benefit ; for which reafon they generally watch the 

 ftragglers, and thofe that run at the fides. The Reindeers 

 generally take their courfe againft the wind j fb that when there 

 is a weft wind, the Hardankerfke farmer is fure enough of 

 having good fport with them ; they come then from the eaft 

 fide of the country. When he has killed a number, what he 

 cannot fell frefh, he falts for winter provifion, thereby faving his 

 cattle (or, as they exprefs it, their Slaughter-Creatures, which 

 are oxen and cows). In Finmark, particular in that long country 

 called Kolen, which borders upon Sweden, the Rein-deer abound 

 moil, not only wild, but alfb tame; and they are the Fin- 

 lappernes, ov Finlaplanders greateft, and almoft only riches J 

 for they live upon their meat, milk and cheefe ; they make 

 cloathing, tents, and bed-coverings of their fkins ; of the ten- 

 dons they make their fb wing- thread. Many a man has from fix 

 or eight hundred to a thoufand of thefe creatures, which never 

 come under cover ; they follow the Finlap wherever he ftrolls, 

 and when they are put to a fledge, tranfport his goods from 

 one dwelling to another. They provide for themfelves, and 

 live chiefly upon the leaves and buds of trees, on the birch 

 catkins, and upon mofs*, which in winter they fcrape for under 

 the fnow, and at laft get it. They are a neat, clean, brift, 

 entertaining creature, and fupport themfelves on very little 

 nourifhment. Dogs brought up for the purpofe are their leaders, 

 protectors, and even are as matters to correct them. The wolf 

 is their greateft enemy, yet they will defend themfelves, in 

 fome meafure, with their horns, as long as they keep together. 



fo foft, that they may be cut with a knife like a faufage, and are delicate eating, even 

 raw. This we have from the huntfmens account ; who, when they are far out in the 

 country and are pinched for food, eat thefe ; which fatisfy both their hunger andthirft 

 When the horns grow bigger, there breeds within the fkin a kind of worm, which 

 eats away the root The Rein-deer has over his eye-lids a kind of fkin, through 

 which he peeps, when otherwife, in the hard fhowers of fnow, he would be obliged to 

 ihut his eyes entirely: a very great proof of the Creator's omnifcience and benevolence, 

 in providing for each creature s wants, acccording to its deftin'd manner of living. 

 * Particularly a white dry mofs, called thence Rein-deer mofs. 



In 



