The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1890-01-30

smell reveals the presence Of reindeer lchen
beneath the snow, IL can break the crust aud
obtain its fayOrite food, RsHgifcr grow fat
while other Ceryids suffer the extremity Of
famine, or succumb 70 their pTiyations.
TIE principal defect IN this creatures organ
izatiOn is its sight, which Is poor. Either in
forest country or on the barren, It's protective
cOlOriug, whose neutral tint corresponds with
that Of the grasses and trunks Of trees is emf
neBtly advantageous IL also possesses the
sense Of hearing il the same perfection as that
Of smell. Experience has made il cautious,
and nature given il feetness. activity, strength,
and hardihOOd, so that upon the whole, this
species may be regarded as well prepared 70
hold lis own in the struggle for existence On
the other hand, however, its Intelligence Is not
Of Ugh order. When these deer have been
comparatively speaking, unmolested, they fire.
oUeutly exhibit fatal curiosity at variance
with the universal instinct Of self preservation.
Some natuTalists have ascribed the propensity
10 approach unusual objects TO their defective
vision, bat IL seems evident that IL endowed
with much qulcknesg Of apprehension they
would act differently. Moreover they certainly
DO not think quickly, because in localities
where an inherited experience Of fire arms
might be confidently expected 10 exist and In
fact where man is perfectly recognized By bis
appearance aud OcOr q clump Of caribou will
pause. when shot into, in mOmentaTy confusion,
aud frequently give the hunter ample time "a
shoot again. The Indians say that practice has
educated their hearing % a degree that makes
eal!inR-tbe imitation Of their cry through 3
birch bark trumpet-no longer worth attempt.
ing. but ia other respects the lessons Of expc.
TieBce have been thrown away. Kestlegsnes,
with the KangileT results &c much and perhap,
more, from their persecution by CAD aud bot-f cf
ar from any other cause. The former-Q.stru,
taraDdi-depOsils It's eggs in the skin, which act
f..r 80 II fa. Harsrs. 4
that ls 10 say, they produce alterations; tho
lat,cT-Gbstrus Hasalis-by penetrating the
nasal cavities, causes Assesses a. the result Of
oyIVOst there. Ia Europe. Asia and America
reindeer and caribou travel far and wide q
escape these pests. and according 10 the season
climb mountains, seek swamps, or range thc
tundra and barren. The faulty exhibited lie,
IN tie fact that they persist Ia taking the sam,
routes year after year. though nothing prevent,
them from choosing others leading 10 the same
point. As these are perfectly well known TO th,
native tribes, who beset the path II convenient
places the annual slaughter is very great and
since gavages commonly kill about five times a,
much game rs they can use, very UNNECESSARY
also
The period Of CESSATION Is about eight months
and more than single birth is exceptional
thus IL will b. seen that RaugifeY along will
the traits which favor increase, are not without
serious drawbacks.
Varieties ofthis genus arc distributed through
the mountainous districts Of Scandinavia Fin
land aud Siberia. Wild or tame, these animal,
lnhabit the European aud Asiltic Arctic 10 III,
shore OF the Pacific. On this hemisphere thcy
range indefinitely westward from the fields. }
OF barren plsteauX Of Greenland. and from
Newfoundland, where 10000 square
MILES OF UNDIsrUkBED WILDERSEss
Affords them a secure retreat. Their western
distribution Ina America is not accurately dc
termined, and has, 40 doabt. been great,
changed, but 10 the South, carbon arc plemti
ful in Labrador. New brunswick, Nova scotia