190 
REIN DEER, 
is carried mi not less in Lapland than in North 
America, where the rein deer is called the carribou, 
and the glutton the carcajou. This 'animal, 
which is not above the size of a badger, waits 
whole weeks together for its prey, hid in the 
branches of some spreading tree ; and when the 
wild rein deer passes underneath, it instantly 
drops down upon it, fixing its teeth and claws 
into the neck, just behind the horns. It is in vain 
that the wounded animal then flies for protection, 
that it rustles among the branches of the forest ; 
the glutton still holds its former position, and al- 
though it often loses a part of its skin and flesh, 
which are rubbed off against the trees, yet it still 
keeps fast, until its prey drops with fatigue and 
loss of blood. The deer has but only one method 
of escape, w hich is by jumping into the water ; 
that element its enemy cannot endure ; for;, as we 
are told, it quits its hold immediately, and then 
thinks only of providing for its own proper secu- 
rity. 
Therein deer are able to swim with such incre- 
dible force and swiftness across the widest rivers, 
that a boat with oars can scarcely keep pace with 
them. They swim with their bodies half above 
water, and will pass a river or a lake even in the 
coldest weather. 
In Siberia, where they are extremely numerous, 
they meet with a more rough and savage usage 
than their fellows experience from the harmless 
Laplanders. In the woody districts, where springes, 
fire-arms, and spring-guns can be applied, the 
natives resort to such for either the taking or kil- 
ling of this harmless animal ; but in open plains, 
where these contrivances would fail, many other 
means have been invented. Those adopted by the 
Samoydes seem the most uncommon. 
These people go out in parties for th© purpose ©£ 
