REIN DEER. 
59 
beyond all others, but fill the air like clouds of 
dust, and almost choke the inhabitants. These in- 
sects settle about the heads of the rein deer, and 
drive them almost to distraction ; so that they are 
obliged to take shelter near a large fire of tree moss, 
which the Laplander makes and continually re- 
news, that the intense smoke arising from it may 
keep off the gnats. Thus, to prevent one incon- 
venience they incur another. They have still a 
greater plague to fear in the summer : the Lapland 
gadfly ( oestrus tarandi Linn.') if possible will de- 
posit its eggs under the skin of the rein deer, 
where they are hatched ; and the larvae, burrowing 
in the body of the animal, wound it in many 
places, and often bring on diseases which prove 
fatal. The moment one of these insects is dis- 
covered in the air, the whole herd is agitated ; and 
the poor distressed creatures declare their impa- 
tience by flinging up their heads, tossing about 
their horns, and moving in every direction to pre- 
vent the fly from settling on their bodies : but all 
their endeavours prove ineffectual, unless, to avoid 
the pest, they seek for protection in the snows 
which cover the summits of the loftiest mountains. 
There they will remain all day, and rather suffer 
from want of food, than run the chance of meeting 
with their persecutor. Towards the end of Sep- 
tember the winter begins to return, the gnats and 
flies are no longer to be feared, the ground becomes 
covered with snow, and the rein deer again breathe 
with freedom. 
