The Arctic, or White Fox. 227 



of their march. Captain Parry relates that the Arctic Foxes, which were 

 previously numerous, began to retire from Melville peninsula in November, 

 and that by January few remained. *' Towards the centre of the continent, 

 in latitude 65°, they are seen only in the winter, and then not in numbers ; 

 they are very scarce in latitude 61 ° , and at Carleton House, in latitude 

 53°, only two were seen in forty years. On the coast of Hudson's Bay» 

 however, according to Hearne, they arrive at Churchill, in latitude 59°, 

 about the middle of October, and afterwards receive reinforcements from the 

 northward, until their numbers almost exceed credibility. Many are captured 

 there by the hunters, and the greater part of the survivors cross the Churchill 

 river as soon as it is frozen over, and continue their journey along the coast 

 to Nelson and Severn rivers. In like manner they extend their migi'ations 

 along the whole Labrador coast to the gulf of St. Lawrence. Most of those 

 which travel far to the southward are destroyed by rapacious animals ; and 

 the few which survive to the spring breed in their new quarters, instead of 

 returning to the north. The colonies they found are however soon extirpated 

 by their numerous enemies. A few breed at Churchill, and some young ones 

 are occasionally seen in the vicinity of York factory. There are from three 

 to five young ones in a litter." 



'' The trap in which the Arctic Fox is taken by the Esquimaux, is 

 described by authors as simple : it consists of a little hut built of stone, with 

 a square opening on the top, over which some blades of whalebone are 

 extended nearly across, so as to form an apparently secure footing, although 

 only fastened at one end, so that when the animal comes on to them to get 

 the bait, they bend downward and the Fox is precipitated into the hnt below, 

 which is deep enough to prevent his jumping out, the more especially because 

 the whalebone immediately rises again to its position, and the bait being 

 fastened thereto, several Foxes may be taken successively. Other traps are 

 arranged so that a flat stone falls on the Fox when he, by pulling at the bait, 

 disengages the trigger. These Foxes are also caught in traps made of ice 

 (in which wolves are taken at times by the Esquimaux). These traps are 

 thus described by Dr. Richardson, and are certainly composed of the last 

 material we, dwellers in more favoured lands, would think of for the purpose : 

 *' The Esquimaux wolf-trap is made of strong slabs of ice, long and narrow, 

 so that a Fox can with difficulty turn himself in it, but a wolf must actually 

 remain in the position in which he is taken. The door is a heavy portcullis 

 of ice, sliding in two well-secured grooves of the same substance, and is kept 

 up by a line, which, passing over the top of the trap, is carried through a 

 hole at the farthest extremity ; to the end of the line is fastened a small hoop 

 of whalebone, and to this any kind of flesh-bait is attached. From the slab 

 which terminates the trap, a projection of ice or a peg of wood or bone points 

 i awards near the bottom, and under this the hoop is slightly hooked; the 

 islightest pull at the bait liberates it, the door falls in an instant, and the wolf 

 (or Fox) is speared where he lies." 



" In speaking of the Sooty Fox, which is only a variety of the present 

 species, Dr. Richardson says : " On one occasion during our late coasting 



