n8 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



teen or fixteen years. At eight or nine years old, the 



Laplanders kill them for their fkins and their flefh. Of 

 the former they make garments, which are warm, and 

 cover them from head to foot : They alfo ferve them for 

 beds ; they fpread them on each fide of the fire upon 

 the leaves of trees, and in this manner lie both foft and 

 warm. The latter affords a conftant fupply of good and 

 wholefome food, which, in the winter, when other kinds 

 of provifions fail, is their chief fubfiftence. The tongue 

 of the Rein-deer is confidered as a great delicacy; and 

 when dried, great numbers of them are fold into other 

 countries. The finews ferve for thread, with which the 

 Laplanders make their cloaths, {hoes, and other necef- 

 faries ; and, when covered with the hair, ferve them for 

 ropes. 



Innumerable are the ufes, the comforts, and advan- 

 tages, which the poor inhabitants of this dreary climate 

 derive from this animal. We cannot fum them up bet- 

 ter, than in the beautiful language of the poet: — 



" Their Rein-deer form their riches : Thefe their tents, 

 " Their robes, their beds, and all their homely wealth, 

 *' Supply, their wholefome fare, and chearful cups : 

 " Obfequious at their call, the docile tribe 

 " Yield to the fled their necks, 3nd whirl them fwift 

 " O'er hill and dale, heap'd into one expanfe 

 " Of marbled mow, as far as eye can fweep, 

 " With a blue cruft of ice unbounded glaz'd." 



The horns of the Rein-deer are large and (lender, 

 bending forward; with brow antlers, which are broad 

 and palmated. A pair in our pofleflion are in length 

 two feet eight inches, and from tip to tip two feet five ; 

 they weigh nine pounds : The projecting brow antler is 

 fourteen inches long, one foot broad, and ferrated at the 

 end : It mould feem, both from its fituation and form. 



