NATURAL HISTORY. xix 



flavour, although the skin smelt strongly of it. The account of the manner in which 

 the natives hunt this animal will be found in the narrative. 



The Esquimaux informed us, that at Aw-wuk-too-teak the Musk Ox is fre- 

 quently seen in considerable numbers. It is not so highly valued by them as the 

 Reindeer ; its hide being too thick and hard for clothing, is used only for beds. 



The dung of the Musk Ox, as well as of the Reindeer, when fresh, is considered a 

 delicacy by the natives. 



There is an excellent drawing of the Musk Ox in Captain Parry's Narrative of his 

 First Voyage, p. 257, by Lieut. Beechy. The description by Dr. Richardson is most 

 accurate ; and a very fine specimen brought from Melville Island is preserved in the 

 British Museum. 



13.— PHOCA FCETIDA (Rough Seal). 



Phoca Fcetida. — Cuv : Reg. Anim. — vol. i., p. 168. 

 Fah: Faun. Grcenl. — p. 13. 

 Rich : App. to Parry's 2d Voy.— p. 332. 

 Rough Seal. — Perm: Quad. — vol. ii., p. 278; and Arctic Zoo/. — vol. i., p. 160. 



Inhabits the seas both on the east and west sides of the Isthmus of Boothia, and 

 constitutes the principal means of subsistence to the inhabitants during eight or nine 

 months of every year. 



In July, August, and September, the Reindeer and Salmon afford to the Esquimaux 

 an agreeable and salutary change. The skins of the Reindeer supply them with 

 beds and clothes ; but it is the Rough Seal on which they wholly depend for their 

 winter's food ; when all other animals have retired to a more temperate climate, the 

 Seal is sought by the Esquimaux, whose dogs are trained to hunt over the extensive 

 floes of level ice, and to scent out the concealed breathing-holes of the Rough Seal. 

 So soon as one is discovered, a snow wall is built round it, to protect the huntsman 

 from the bitterness of the passing breeze ; where, with his spear uplifted, he will sit for 

 hours until his victim rises to breathe, and falls an easy sacrifice to his unerring aim. 

 In this manner, a party of thirty hunters killed 150 of these animals during the first 

 two months they remained in our neighbourhood ; the fishery for ten or twelve miles 



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