Page:Polar Exploration - Bruce - 1911.djvu/124

120 soles and sides, and that of the fore legs for the upper leather, the hair being left outside. Those boots are worn with the fur outside, and may be filled inside with a sedge or "sennegroes." They are very suitable both for ski and Canadian snow-shoes.

The northern races of Europe and Asia have domesticated the reindeer. The standard of wealth of the Lapp is according to the number of reindeer he possesses. It is his all in all. The reindeer transports his household and himself from one place to another; it supplies him with milk and meat; it clothes his family and himself. Its bones form needles, and its sinews threads. Its bones also make spoons and other useful articles of equipment. All and every part of a reindeer—living or dead—is indispensable to him. For food the reindeer is never at a loss, even fending for itself when winter snow covers the ground. With its hoof the reindeer scrapes away the snow and discovers underneath the reindeer moss—a lichen which forms a favourite food.

It is pitiable to see this graceful and useful animal ruthlessly slaughtered, as it has been in Spitsbergen during recent years, and it is discreditable to relate that a person of exalted position has been one of those who have set so deplorable an example. Norwegian hunters are also greatly to blame—not even hesitating