USEFUL REINDEER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 March 1940, Page 8

USEFUL REINDEER

BEAST OF BURDEN IN NORWAY. The reindeer is the boast of burden in many Northern lands. In Lapland and Norway it draws light sleighs, while in Kamchatka it is saddled and ridden by the natives. Pack saddles are also used on which as much as 1001 b of luggage may be placed. Wild reindeer used to be far more numerous than they are now. About 130 years ago herds were seen in the north of Norway packed as closely as sheep and over 31 miles in width. At one time reindeer wore found all over the British Isles, and they roamed about Europe, going as far south as the Black Forest. Today il is found only in the north, in America as well as Europe. The reindeer is particularly suited to a cold climate, and it i s a most valuable animal for the inhabitants. When alive il provides a rich milk for drinking and making' into cheeses. When dead, almost every part of the animal is used in some way. The flesh provides meal, the bones yield marrow. soup is made from the blood.

The skin, with the hair, is used for clothing for it keeps out the cold and is very light in weight. A number of hides sewn together form an excellent tent, while the skin cut into strips makes bowstrings, lines for nets and snares, and shoelaces.

A split shinbone provides a useful knife, the horns are made into fishhooks and spearheads, the tendons provide a strong thread for sewing with the bone needle.