MAMMALS. 67 



are covered with parasites ; but after tliey liave been rolling and rub- 

 bing themselves on the sand-beaches for a few days they look much 

 smoother and their color is a creamy white. The Eskimo say the males 

 and females keep separate, but I do not think there is much truth in 

 this statement. Some think they go on these shoals to avoid the attacks 

 of the killers, which play sad havoc among them outside, but do not 

 follow them into shallow water ; but if this were the reason, they would 

 take refuge in any small bay or inlet, and not choose this particular fjord 

 year after year. I found no external parasites, but the internal ear 

 cavity was nearly filled with worm-like animals nearly two inches long. 

 They were firmly attached by one end, and stood erect, having some- 

 what the appearance of very coarse hairs. While migrating into the 

 sound they always keep just at the floe edge, and if the ice is broken do 

 not seem to like getting among it. In the winter of 187G-77, a couple 

 got belated and froze up in the Kingwah tide rifts. They were harpooned 

 by the Eskimo in January. A considerable number of these whales are 

 caught by the Eskimo from their kyacks. 



7. Monodon monoceros, Linn6. 



Narwhal of whalemen. " Killeluaksuak," Eskimo. 



By no means abundant, but of regular occurrence in spring and au- 

 tumn. These whales give the Eskimo much trouble to capture, on 

 account of their agility. The horn is often used for the handle of the 

 harpoon, and for various other purposes where wood is scarce. 



