NATURAL HISTORY. xv 



The individual specimen from which Dr. Richardson's very accurate description was 

 drawn, was taken by Captain Back (in honour of whom it has been named) on Point 

 Lake, in latitude 65° N. It was a female of smaller dimensions than those we have 

 generally met with ; for Dr. Richardson states it to be a little inferior in size to the 

 Hudson's Bay Lemming : whereas a comparison of the average measurements and 

 weight of above twenty of each species is in favour of the latter. 



No specimens of this species were obtained during the winter; but it is more than 

 probable that, like the preceding species, it is white during that season. 



The first fur of the young, as in the Hudson's Bay Lemming, is rather more obscure 

 than that of the parents; and even in this early state the two species are easily distin- 

 guishable by their colour, the trimucronate thumb not being at first so very apparent. 



9.— ARCTOMYS PARRYI {Parry's Marmot). 



Aectomys Pakryi. — Sab : in App. to Franklin's 1st Journet/. 

 Rich: in App. to Parry's 2d Voy. 

 Rich: in Faun. Bor. Amer. — p. 158. 



None of these animals were seen during our late voyage in the Victory; nor do I 

 believe they have ever been found far north of the Arctic Circle. I notice it here 

 merely to mention that some of the dresses of the Esquimaux who had lately left 

 Repulse Bay were made of its skins. These people told us that it was very numerous 

 in those parts. 



10.— LEPUS GLACIALIS {Polar Hare). 



Lepus Glacialis. — Rich: Faun. Bar. Amer. — p. 221. 

 Lepus Timidus, — Fab : Faun. Grwnl. — p. 25. 



There is scarcely a spot in the Arctic Regions, the most desolate and steril that can 

 be conceived, where this animal is not to be found, and tliat too throughout the winter : 



