[ J 55 ] 



mentions an inftance of one Rein having drove away two of 

 thefe maroders. When the reins, however, life their antlers 

 againft their own fpecies in the rutting time, the horns are 

 frequently fo entangled, that they cannot be feparated but by 

 the affiftance of the Rein herds. 



If it be alked why every fpecies of deer hath not the fame 

 protection? the anfwer feems to be, that the fwiftnefs of the 

 other kinds enables them to efcape their purfuer. 



Though the northern naturalifts fpeak of the expedition alfp, 

 with which the Rein-deer will draw the traineau ; yet I beg 

 leave to fay, from having feen three of thefe animals, that they 

 are rather of a make calculated for the collar, than for extra- 

 ordinary fwiftnefs; and I have little doubt but that they are the 

 floweft of their whole genus h , except the Elk, whofe antlers are 

 alfo of a moft peculiar form, as well as ftrength. 



I fhould conceive likewife, that the Elk makes ufe of thefe ex- 

 traordinary horns to remove the thick underwood and briars in 

 which this quadruped lives, not being fo fleet as the reft of 

 its genus are : the antlers therefore are exceffively wide, as well 

 as mallow, and the fagged terminations feem not improper to per- 

 form the office of a faw. 



I know well that fome naturalifts, not being able to find out 

 the ufe of particular parts in feveral animals, have rather ridi- 

 culed the attempt to difcq.ver for what purpofe they are de- 

 fgned : I am perfuaded, however, that this arifes from igno- 

 rance of the habits of the animal (which is the interefting part 

 of Natural Hiftory) ; nor is it lefs true, becaufe it hath been often 

 advanced, that nature does nothing in vain. 



£ Leemius, c. 9. 



h Outhier obferves, that they move but very flowly except the track 

 is very even, Voyage au Nord, p. 142. 



X 2 BufFon 



