THE GUN AT HOME AND ABROAD 
tundra until the water edge is reached, when the leader strikes boldly 
out for the opposite shore. They wade and swim unmolested until 
the whole herd is well out in the stream, and then the hunters dash 
forth in numbers from under cover of the bank, each armed with a 
long spear or lance, which rests in the crotch of a forked deer-horn 
placed in the bow of the canoe, in order to keep the spear in readiness 
and protect it, as well as the occupant, from harm. As the hunters 
dash whooping and yelling into the midst of the herd, the deer are 
panic-stricken, and, losing the guidance of their leader, strike out 
in all directions. Although excellent swimmers, the poor animals, 
which can fly like the wind over the smooth heath or tundra , are now 
at a disadvantage; for the natives are in their most congenial element, 
and, nimbly plying their paddles, dart and flash about from one victim 
to another, working quick and sad havoc among the stately drove 
with the deadly thrusts of their lances. The action is continued while 
a living deer is in the water, and, when there is none left, the floating 
carcasses are towed to shore, when the women and children, if at hand, 
assist in cleaning and preparing the meat. Meanwhile those of the 
herd that escaped injury have scampered away in safety until the 
next crossing is reached; while the fugitive wounded are followed 
up by the young hunters on the opposite shore, or sometimes are 
tracked by the dogs. 
“ In autumn when the herds are wending their way to the south 
the slaughter is repeated, and thus are two seasons of the hunting year 
filled in, during which the natives are comparatively well fed.” 
T. r. chukchensis (sub -spec. nov.). — As the reindeer of the Lena delta 
resembles the Arctic reindeer of North America, so does the present sub- 
species bear a close resemblance in form and horn growth to the reindeer 
found in the north-eastern corner of the North American continent ( T . r. 
labradorensis). They are very large animals, with little or no sign of the 
flank stripe in summer pelage. Of the winter pelage I have seen no skins 
or pictures. The horns are long and massive, poorly developed in the 
brows and bays, but thick and widely palmated in the tops, and in this part 
of the horn somewhat resemble T. r. osborni. 
The majority of these reindeer are domesticated by the Reindeer - 
Ghukchis of the interior of the north-east corner of Siberia, stretching 
from Kolimsk to the Bering Straits. (These people must not be confused 
with the Ghukchis of the actual coast -line, who are known as the Dog- 
220 
