NATURAL HISTORY. 



3.— MUSTELA ERMINEA {Ermine). 



MusTELA Erminea. — Cuv : Reg. Anim. — vol. i., p. 145. 

 Rich : FauH. Bor. Ainer. — p. 46. 



These beautiful and elegant little animals were by no means numerous ; but their 

 tracks were occasionally seen during the winter, following those of the Lemmings, upon 

 which they chiefly subsist during that inclement part of the year. It is ahnost impos- 

 sible to tame them, preferring rather to die than live in confinement. One that came 

 on board of our ship and was taken, although treated with the greatest kindness, its 

 restless and vicious nature so completely exhausted it, that it died at the end of a week 

 or ten days. The Ermine assumes its winter dress early in September, and again 

 changes to brown towards the end of May. It is the great enemy of the Lemming, and 

 in its turn is preyed upon by the Fox. 

 It is 18 inches long, and weighs 5-| oz. 



4.— CANIS LUPUS OCCIDENTALIS {American Woff). 



Canis Lupus. — Cuv: Rtg. Anim. — vol. i., p, 150. 

 Canis Lupus Occidentalis. — Rich: Faun. Bor. Amer. — p. 60. 



Considerable numbers of this animal were seen on the narrow Isthmus of Boothia, 

 where they arrive early in the spring to intercept the Reindeer on their way to the 

 north. None were killed by us during our late voyage, owing to their extreme 

 wariness ; but their tracks were occasionally seen during each of the winters. They are 

 very troublesome to the Esquimaux, robbing their hoards, tearing the skin covering off 

 their canoes, and killing their dogs. It is a remarkable circumstance, that a single 

 wolf will go amongst any number of Esquimaux dogs, and can-y off any one from 

 amongst them without the others attempting to attack it. Such is their extreme dread 

 of the Wolf, that they begin to tremble and howl whenever they are aware of its 

 approach. The Wolf will seldom attack a man, except when starving; but if alone 

 and unarmed, it will not care to get out of his way. 



