. Edinburgh journal of natural history and of the physical sciences . All these parts, however, vpere so minute, and the little horny apex so buried â among the tufted hairs of the tail, that the use assigned by the ancient Scholiasts :Cannot be regarded as any thing else than imaginary; but the structure of the organ is so elegant, and, its form so singular, that it cannot possibly be considered as for- txiitous, or what is commonly called a lusus naturcn. This simple fact, however-, , ^eems to prove that the ancients were better acquainted with some departments of â anatomy than could have b
. Edinburgh journal of natural history and of the physical sciences . All these parts, however, vpere so minute, and the little horny apex so buried â among the tufted hairs of the tail, that the use assigned by the ancient Scholiasts :Cannot be regarded as any thing else than imaginary; but the structure of the organ is so elegant, and, its form so singular, that it cannot possibly be considered as for- txiitous, or what is commonly called a lusus naturcn. This simple fact, however-, , ^eems to prove that the ancients were better acquainted with some departments of â anatomy than could have been supposed. Tormentors of the Rein-Deer.âWTiale Island, during the summer months, is never without three or four families of Laplanders (Fieldfinner), with their herds of Rein-Deer. The causes that induce, nay even compel these people to undertake their long and annual migrations from the interior parts of Lapland to its coast, though they may appear singular, are sufficiently powerful. It is well known from the account of those travellers who have visited Lapland during the summer months, that the interior pai'ts of it, particularly its boundless forests, are so infested by â various species of gnats and other insects, that no animal can escape their incessant persecutions. Large fires are kindled, in the smoke of which the cattle hold their heads, to escape the attack of their enemies; and even the natives themselves are compelled to smear their faces with tar, as the only certain protection against their stings. No creature, however, suffers more than the Rein-Deer from the larger species (^(Estrus tarandi), as it not only torments it incessEmtly by its sting, but even deposits its egg in the wound it makes in the hide. The poor animal is thus tor- Toented to such a degree, that the Laplander, if he were to remain in the forests during the months of June, July, and August, would run the risk of losing the â¢greater part of his herd, either by actual sickness, or from
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