INTRODUCTION xxv 



As a result of the Expedition it is quite possible that the ovibos 

 (or musk ox) may be domesticated. At all events, the attempt 

 should be made. So far as I am aware, no large mammal has been 

 domesticated by man within the historic period. 



In "My Life With the Eskimo" and in this volume Stefansson 

 has given us interesting and even fascinating pictures of Eskimo 

 habits, beliefs and traditions before they came into contact with 

 white races. Their social organization, their conception of life, 

 their ideas respecting the phenomena of nature and their practical 

 adaptability to a difficult environment were probably similar to 

 those which prevailed among our very remote ancestors. They spoke 

 several dialects of a remarkably complex language; and in every- 

 day life they used a vocabulary far exceeding that which we 

 ordinarily employ. Through the accumulated experience of succes- 

 sive generations they had acquired habits of life admirably suited 

 to their surroundings. In many respects they were as children; in 

 others, shrewdness itself. For them the age of magic still existed 

 and without difficulty they accounted for the most miraculous or 

 impossible events. Kindness, hospitality and many social virtues 

 adorned their lives. But contact with the white races has been 

 seldom beneficial to any such type. When a primeval civilization 

 comes into contact with ours, the new wine is too strong for the old 

 bottles. 



The results accomplished by this Expedition would have been 

 impossible if Stefansson had been a man of less resource and 

 courage. His commanding intellectual powers, remarkable faculty 

 of observation, capacity for keen analysis of facts and conditions, 

 splendid poise and balance, and immense physical strength and 

 endurance made great results possible. Honors have been showered 

 upon him by the representative societies of science; renowned polar 

 explorers have paid him their warmest tribute; great universities 

 have recognized by their highest degrees his contributions to 

 scholarship and to science. The thanks and appreciation of the 

 Canadian Government have been conveyed to him in a Minute of 

 Council. But perhaps his greatest reward lies not in all this but 

 in the love that has grown within him for this great friendly North 

 which still calls him, the recollection of high endeavor successfully 

 achieved, the loyalty and devotion of comrades still present in 

 memory. 



Ottawa, October, 1921. 



