ß4 A. L. V. Manniche. 



on arctic foxes and polar hares, is quite at variance with the obser- 

 vations made by me on the subject. 



In the winter 1908, while the wolves had their stationary abode 

 near the ship's harbour, the two smaller groups of mountains 

 ''Harefjeldet" and "Thermometerfjeldet", situated in the immediate 

 neighbourhood of the harbour, were inhabited by rather numerous 

 polar hares. Though the wolves were strolling about almost daily 

 on the lower parts of these mountains, I never found the least sign 

 of their having tried to hunt the hares living higher up on the 

 rocks. The excellent conditions for tracing the animals, especially 

 in February and March after the cessation of the time of absolute 

 darkness, made it possible for me to make a thorough investigation 

 of the subject, having directed my attention, though under less 

 good conditions, to the same point in other places as well. Yet it 

 may not be excluded that under certain circumstances especially 

 unfavourable to the hare, the wolf may make a prey of it. 



Judging from my knowledge of wolf and arctic fox, I feel cer- 

 tain that normally the last mentioned animal will be able to escape 

 being taken by surprise by his stronger kinsman through his cau- 

 tion, quickness and incredible dexterity. 



That even in the winter time the wolf is able to gain admission 

 to the lemming by means of his fore paws, I have had occasion 

 to prove several times, and it is just as certain, that the fine scent 

 of the animal will help him to find his way to a carcass very 

 quickly. 



On the parts of skeletons of the arctic wolf brought home to 

 the museum, the following measurements have been taken: 



Sex. Age Date Designation of place mm. 



c? ad. ^^/i 08 The ship's harbour Length of the cranium from 



the hind edge of the occipi- 

 tal condyle to the front edge 

 of the intermaxillary bone 232 



Length of the lower car- 

 nassial 32 



The greatest length of the 

 thigh-bone 228 



The greatest length of the 

 upper arm 218 



c? ad. ^-5/2 08 The ship's harbour Length of the cranium Ч . 234 



Lower carnassial 32 



The thigh-bone 230 



The upper arm 222 



> The riglit zygomatic arch has been broken, and the occipital crest has a pro- 

 tuberance, probably deriving likewise from a bruise or blow. 



