138 
THE EEIN-DEER. 
the bait. The slab is sufficiently strong to bear the 
weight of a deer, until it has passed the middle, 
when it revolves on two short axles of wood, preci- 
pitates the deer into the trap, and returns to its place 
again, in consequence of the lower end being heavier 
than the other.” 
Hearne describes another method still, by which 
these important animals are brought within reach of 
the more imperfect weapons of the Indians, — that of 
diiving into a pound, as is also done with the wild 
buffalo ; the principle is the same. A fence, or the 
appearance of it, is placed in tlie form of an angle, 
the entrance being wide, into which, when the herds 
enter, they are impelled forward by noise behind, 
until they are gradually enclosed in the centre fold. 
In the present instance, the centre pound or fold is 
sometimes a mile in circumference, and is intersect- 
ed with brush and fences, in which snares made of 
thongs of rein-deer skins are fixed, and in which, 
when entangled, they are easily speared. 
In Europe, the rein-deer inhabits the more north- 
ern countries, Siberia, Lapland, Finmark, and Swe- 
den ; hut is not, we believe, known to the south of 
the Baltic Sea. It also extends beyond tlie Asiatic 
boundary, and among some tribes is used as a beast 
of burden. In Iceland it has been for some time in- 
troduced. In none of these countries is it so much 
esteemed as in Lapland. It there becomes the sole 
wealth of the people, being every necessaiy they re- 
quire ; its care, food, and dressing occupying by far 
