CHAP. VIII. Of Ranged Deer.
IN the North parts of both the Bothnians, (for so are the utmost parts of the North Countrey called, as if it were from the bottome of a Vessel) and great Lapland, there is a Beast with three Horns, that is of the kind of Stags, but is far taller, stronger, and swifter; and it is called Rangifer, for two reasons; one is, be∣cause it carryeth high horns on the head, like the Boughs of an Oke-Tree: The other is, because the Instruments that are put upon the horns and brea•••• to draw their Waggons withall in Winter, are called in that Language Rancha, and Lo∣chai, of these horns it hath two bigger than the rest, growing as the Stags horns do: but they are with more branches, and farther out, for they augment to fif∣teen branches. Another stands in the middle of their head, with little small branches shorter than the other, standing round about it. These arm the head on all sides against the beasts that are Enemies unto it, especially Wolves; and it shews comely, and to be admired amongst other strange things. The meat this beast eateth is Mountain Moss, that is white, chiefly in Winter, that lyes on the Superficies of the ground covered with Snow. And though these Snows be thick, yet by an Instinct of Nature, will it dig in them like a wilde horse to seek for its meat. In Summer it feeds on Leaves and Boughs of Trees, better stan∣ding and going, than stooping down the head, (because the horns are too croo∣ked forwar••) and that inclining the head obliquely, and on one side. It hath a Mane like a Horse, and the Hoofs are divided in two, being almost round by Nature, because it runs or goes over the high snow, carrying a man on its back, where the snow is hardned in Valleys, Mountains, or Fields.