m 
REIN DEER. 
merely arises from fear (as is sometimes observed 
to be the case in horses*) is not perhaps easy to 
determine. The fact, however, is too well authen- 
ticated to admit our doubting it. This has given 
rise to the popular superstition of attributing to the 
hoofs the virtue of an anti-epileptic medicine ; and 
the Indians even still imagine that the elk lias the 
power of curing itself of its own disorder, or of 
preventing an approaching fit, by scratching' its 
ear w ith the hoof till it draw's blood. 
The flesh of the elk is good, but the grain is 
coarse, and it is much tougher than any other kind 
of venison. Mr. Hearne remarks, that the livers 
of these animals are never sound ; and that, like the 
other deer, they have no gall. According to Mr. 
Pennant* the tongues are excellent, and the nose so 
like marrow, as to be esteemed the greatest deli- 
cacy produced in Canada. Their skins, when 
dressed by the natives, make excellent tent covers, 
and shoe-leather. They are of very unequal thick- 
ness ; but some of the Indian women, who are 
acquainted with the manufacture of them, render 
them, by scraping, as even as a piece of thick cloth : 
and, when well dressed, they are very soft. The 
hair of the hams, which is of great length, is used 
in stuffing mattresses and saddles. 
The females have from one to three young 
at a time, and generally produce them towards 
the latter end of April, or about the beginning of 
May. 
Rein deer. 
The rein deer is found in most of the northern 
regions, both of Europe, Asia, and America. Its 
general height is about four feet and a half. The 
colour is brown above, and white beneath, but as 
the animal advances in age it often becomes of a 
