﻿178 ANIMALS. July, 



may state tliat the mountain sheep, or big-horn as 

 it is named (Ovis montcma), frequents the higher 

 peaks down to the delta of the Mackenzie. The 

 Slave Indian appellation of this fine animal is Sass- 

 sei-1/euneh, or "Foolish Bear." It keeps to the 

 craggy summits, and can scarcely be approached by 

 the hunter who ascends towards it from below ; but 

 should he once get above it, he can come near it 

 easily. Its flesh is said to be equal to well fla- 

 voured mutton, but its coat resembles that of the 

 rein-deer, and is not woolly. The goat-antelope 

 (AntUocapra amei'icanci), which is covered with a 

 fine long-stapled wool, has its northern limit on the 

 Eiver of the Mountains. Its flesh is much inferior 

 to that of the mountain sheep. Rein-deer, of a much 

 larger size and darker colour than the " Barren- 

 ground variety," frequent the mountain valleys ; 

 and moose deer, extending their range nearly to the 

 Arctic Sea, through the wooded districts only, feed 

 on the banks of the rivers where willows grow. 

 Neither musk-oxen nor bison inhabit this part 

 of the Rocky Mountains ; the latter, as has been 

 mentioned, having their northern limit on the Horn 

 Mountain ; while the former keep within the arctic 

 circle, and to the east of the Mackenzie. The little 

 Pika^ or tail-less hare, occupies the grassy emi- 

 nences, and lays up a stock of hay for winter use. 

 Say's grouse ( Tetrao Sayi), named Ti-choh, i. e. " big 



