OF THE POLAR SEA. 



221 + 



The rein-deer retire from the sea-coast in 

 July and August, rut in October on the 

 verge of the barren grounds, and shelter 

 themselves in the woods during the winter. 

 They are often induced by a few fine days 

 in winter, to pay a transitory visit to their 

 favourite pastures in the barren country, 

 but their principal movement to the north- 

 ward commences generally in the end of 

 April, when the snow first begins to melt 

 on the sides of the hills ; and early in May, 

 when large patches of the ground are visi- 

 ble, they are on the banks of the Copper- 

 Mine River. The females take the lead in 

 this spring migration, and bring forth their 

 young on the sea-coast, about the end of 

 May or beginning of June. There are cer-* 



the mucous membrane at the root of the tongue, and 

 posterior part of the nares and pharynx. The Indians 

 consider them to belong to the same species with the 

 oestrus, that deposits its ova under the skin : to us the 

 larvae of the former appeared more flattened than those 

 of the latter. Specimens of both kinds, preserved in 

 spirits, were destroyed by the frequent falls they re- 

 ceived on the portages." — Dr. Richardson's Journal, 



