REINDEER AND MUSK-OX 



in the case of domestic cattle, any young calves 

 which may become separated from the herd, fall a 

 ready prey to the wolves which are always on the 

 lookout for opportunities of this nature. 



Flies — 



No evidence was secured as to the susceptibility 

 of the musk-ox to flies and other insect pests. The 

 northern islands appear to be largely free from 

 this drawback, but in any case, the hairy coat of 

 the musk-ox is of such a nature as to render him 

 practically immune to such attacks. 



Your commissioners are of the opinion that 

 the conservation and domestication of the musk-ox 

 are matters of great domestic importance. 



The existence of an animal capable, in these far 

 northern regions, of sustaining life, reproducing its 

 species and laying on flesh, is a matter not to be 

 lightly regarded. 



It is more than doubtful if, even after years 

 of painstaking effort, it would be possible to pro- 

 duce from any of our most hardy strains of domestic 

 cattle, an animal which could even approximate 

 the musk-ox in those qualities which so admirably 

 fit him for his environment and for the needs not 

 only of the natives but of the white men who will 

 unquestionably, and that in the near future, be 

 inhabiting our northern possessions. 



There is apparently no question as to his adaptability to domestication 

 and your commissioners are convinced that if the matter is gone about in an 

 intelligent and business-like way, any expenditure which may be incurred in 

 his preservation and further development will be amply repaid. 



Musk-ox Wool Sock. 

 Courtesy of V. Slefansson, 1920 



M(il1~l 



Summer — Herschel Island. 



17 



