400 P. Freuchen. 



and ran off with them some httle distance. Then it stood at bay, still 

 covering both the calves. We shot the calf belonging to the cow already- 

 killed, and still the second cow did not move. At last, when we commen- 

 ced flaying, it dashed off with its calf. The calf we had shot had an 

 even layer of suet all over the body, not confined to certain particular 

 places as in the case of the grown animals. The foetal hair had not yet 

 fallen off, but was now faded, reddish, and quite loose. Beneath this 

 was a close covering of fine hair. The cow had completely shed its coat, 

 and its hair was thin; milk rich and plentiful. A solitary bull approached, 

 but moved off again on scenting blood. 



All the musk ox here mentioned as seen in the "High Road" came 

 up from the valley to the south. This latter runs almost due north 

 and south, and lies higher than the "High Road", and closer to the 

 inland ice. I should hardly imagine, however, that this regularity of 

 direction points to any following of a certain route, on account of the 

 slight extent of the country. 



On the 6th August, when we were striking camp, a couple of musk 

 ox were grazing close by. 



On the 7th August, when camping near the edge of the ice (Thule- 

 varden) we sighted 5 musk ox from the tent, 1-1-3. 



On the 8th August we shot a young bull, near Thulevarden. It was 

 fatter than any we had hitherto seen, the layer of suet being almost 

 3 cm thick all over the back. Two others were grazing with it. 



2. Polar Hare. Lepus variabilis glacialis sive timiidus. 



We started out from the west coast of Greenland just about the 

 time when the hunting season for polar hare is' at its height, the skins 

 then being thick and warm for the winter. They are used for stockings, 

 and are doubtless the warmest material which can be found for the 

 purpose. At Neqe, where most hares are found, they are extremely 

 abundant. In the spring about 25 per day are shot or snared, without 

 any appreciable effect on the stock; in addition to which foxes abound, 

 and these probably also take their share. 



Some six or seven of the sledge parties which escorted us part of 

 the way out over the ice went out hunting hares in the country south 

 of Peabody Bay, where they are said to be numerous. 



On the 10th May we reached the east coast, i. e. the land behind 

 Danmarks Fjord. Quite close to the edge of the inland ice we saw 15 

 hares, playing about in two groups. They were fairly tame, in contrast 

 to those on the west coast, where much hunting is done. Shot five. 



We saw no hares in the upper part of the Zigzag Valley, and the 

 ground on either side of the watercourse we followed was flat and but 

 ill-suited to hares, which prefer the hilly slopes. 



22nd May. Saw a couple of hares on a little hill. 



