182 
REIN DEER. 
order. In the morn mg’, therefore,, as soon as the 
Lapland herdsman drives his deer to pasture, his 
greatest care is to keep them from scaling the sum- 
mits of the mountains where there is no food, but 
where they go merely to he at ease from the gnats 
and gadflies that are ever annoying them. At 
this time there is a strong contest between the dogs 
and the deer ; the one endeavouring to climb up 
against the side of the hill,, and to gain those 
summits that are cohered in eternal snows ; the 
ether forcing them down,, by barking and threaten- 
ing, aodj in a manner, compelling them into the 
places where their food is in the greatest plenty. 
There the men and dogs confine them ; guarding 
them with the utmost precaution the whole day, 
and driving them home at the proper seasons for 
milking. 
The female brings forth in the middle of May, 
and gives milk till about the middle of October. 
Every morning and evening, during summer, the 
herdsman returns to the cottage with his deer to be 
milked, where the women previously have kindled 
up a smoky fire, which effectually drives off the 
gnats, and keeps the rein deer quiet while milking. 
The female furnishes about a pint, which, though 
thinner that of the cow, is, nevertheless, sweeter, 
and more nourishing. 
Upon the return of the winter, when the gnats 
and dies are no longer to be feared, the Laplander 
descends into the lower grounds ; and as there are 
but few to dispute the possession of that desolate 
country, he has an extensive range to feed them 
in. Their chief, and almost their only food at 
•that time, is the white moss already mentioned ; 
wjiich, from its being fed upon by this animal, 
obtains the name of the lichen rangiferinus. This 
is of two kinds ; the woolly lichen, which covers 
almost all the desert parts of the country like 
