Greenland Musk-Ox 147 



been reported that in winter the musk-oxen on the mainhmd come south 

 to the wooded districts, this, according to Mr. Pike, is an error. 



In spite of their comparatively short and massive limbs, musk-oxen can 

 run with considerable speed ; and when thoroughly alarmed they are stated 

 to take to hilly ground, where they display marvellous agility in climbing 

 precipitous cliffs. Where they have not been much molested, and 

 especially when iar away from water, the herds may be approached with- 

 out difficulty, and the sport of shooting is consequently comparatively tame. 

 In spite of stories to the opposite effect told by the Indians, Mr. Pike is of 

 opinion that even old bulls are by no means dangerous animals ; and even 

 when wounded they seldom, if ever, charge. Although the flesh of old 

 bulls is rank and musky in the extreme, that of cows in good condition is 

 stated to be palatable enough ; calves, however, afford but an insipid and 

 unsatisfying food. 



The skins of musk-oxen are largely used in Canada for sleigh-rugs, and 

 since the extermination of the bison the demand for, and the price of these 

 "robes," as they are termed, has considerably increased. In 1891 the 

 Hudson Bay Company sold 1358 of these skins at prices varying from six 

 shillings to six pounds apiece. To procure the skins, hunting parties are 

 organised by the Canadian Indians, and large numbers of the animals slain. 

 In winter the herds are rounded up with dogs, and wholesale slaughter 

 takes place. In summer, according to Mr. Pike, no dogs are used, but the 

 animals are driven into the waters of some small lake, upon which canoes 

 are launched and the whole band quickly exterminated, the animal being 

 but a poor swimmer, and apparently finding considerable difficulty in 

 keeping its head above water. 



Mr. Caspar Whitney, who is also one of those who have successfully 

 hunted the musk-ox, writes that, in general, Indian dogs, strange as it may 

 seem, are not of much use in the pursuit. " Theirs is a craven nature, 

 and but tor the urgency imparted by the pangs of hunger, they would be of 



