434 B. R. Ross on the Animals 



subsist almost solely on the products of the chase. The climate 

 of these regions moreover in a manner, prohibits agriculture, even 

 were the natives -williDg to turn their attention to such pursuits^ 

 which they are not. 



I shall pass briefly in review all the species of animals from 

 which they derive any material, noting with each the various 

 purposes to which it is applied. 



Foxes. — ( Vulpes). 



The various species of Foxes found in this District are the red, 

 cross, silver, white and blue. The latter is not, as some writers 

 affirm, the young of the white, nor is it that animal in its 

 summer garb, though it is closely allied to it. The only article 

 furnished by these animals is a fine sinew thread for bead-work, 

 and is taken from the tail. 



Black, Grizzly, and Barren-ground Bears. 

 ( XIrsus Americanus, U. horrihilis and U. arctos). 



The Black Bear is found throughout the wooded portions of 

 the districts ; but is replaced, on the barren grounds, by a spe- 

 cies bearing a strong resemblance to the U. arctos of Europe. The 

 Grizzly bear dwells among the Rocky Mountains. From the black, 

 and indeed from all, the natives derive food ; they also cut the sum- 

 mer hides into cords. The prepared fat is extensively used as a 

 pomatum ; but I cannot coincide with those who state bear's grease 

 to be a good hair renovator ; on the contrary, it will in all likeli- 

 hood, if used pure, cause the hairs to split and fall out. Grizzly 

 and Barren-ground bears' claws are much prized for necklaces 

 and coronets, by the Indians. 



Marmots. — (Arctomys). 



There are three, if not four, species of this animal in the McKen- 

 zie's River District, viz., A. pruinosus — ^inhabiting the northern 

 Rocky Mountains and Nehaunay flills — A. KennicoUii — dwelling 

 in the same localities, with a more northern range, and extending 

 eastward to the Anderson River — and A. monax coming as fer 

 north, (though rare) as the Liard's River. Out of all of these, the 

 mountain tribes make robes, and the flesh is counted sweet and 

 fat. As I do not think that the marmot, which I have named A 

 KennicoUii (after my friend the enterprising naturalist Mr. Robert 

 Kennicott,) has been yet described, I shall here insert a brief notice 

 coneewiing it. 



