THE REIN-DEER. 
249 
attacks of these vermin, and more especially of a species 
of oestrus or gadfly, which is its own peculiar foe, aban- 
dons its covert, and frequently traversing a wide extent 
of country, migrates in large herds to the sea-shore, or 
seeks the security of the mountain ridges. Here it sub- 
sists partly upon lichens, and partly on the leaves and 
young shoots of the birch, sallow, and aspen, and on the 
hay and dry grass that is found in the swamps, until 
the rigour of the season drives it back into the woods. 
A singular circumstance connected with the food of 
the Rein-deer is mentioned by Mr. Brooke, who attri- 
butes to it a propensity for eating lemmings, a small 
animal about the size of a rat, which comes down in 
myriads during the summer season from the mountains 
of the north of Europe. But this is not spoken of as 
an habitual occurrence ; and it is probable that, in the 
few instances in which it has been observed, it may 
have arisen from accidental causes, and not from any 
instinctive fondness for animal food. Such a propensity 
in a ruminating animal would indeed be an anomaly 
for which it would be difficult to account. It may be 
proper, however, to mention that a corroboration of 
Mr. Brooke's observation is afforded by Capt. Frank- 
lin's statement, that the American Rein-deer " are 
accustomed to gnaw their fallen antlers, and are said 
to devour mice." 
It is only in the Old World that any attempts have 
been made to domesticate this singularly useful animal. 
The natives of the northern parts of America appear to 
have no idea of its value, except as a beast of chase- 
furnishing them with a considerable portion of their 
food at certain seasons, and with excellent clothing for 
the winter. In these points of view the Caribou, as it 
is termed by the Canadian Voyageurs, is an animal of 
the highest importance to their domestic economy, and 
