86 A. L. V. Manniche. 



Musk-ox. Ovibos moschatus (Zimm.). 



In comparison to the great multitude of traces, excrements and 

 parts of skeletons which the expedition found almost everywhere 

 on its excursions, as well on the continent as on the islands, even 

 on the very smallest of these, the number of animals seen was 

 comparatively small. 



Most numerous the species was found in the high north, where 

 the chartographic sledge expedition of Mylius-Erichsen and Koch 

 killed about half a hundered animals. Also on the mountains at 

 the head of Dove Bugt, most especially between Mørkefjord and 

 Sælsøen, and елеп close by the border of the inland ice, some 

 of the animals were strolling about, yet probably only in smaller 

 parties, paying visits now and then to the low, richly grown coun- 

 try west, north and north-east of Hvalrosodden. The musk-ox was 

 sought for in vain on Store Koldewey, in the country near the ship's 

 harbour, at Stormkap and at Кар Marie Valdemar, though these 

 places offer excellent opportunities for the animals which must have 

 lived here formerly in great numbers, judging from the numerous 

 traces and parts of skeletons left. 



In the following I shall shortly relate partly my own, otherwise 

 rather scant observations, partly the informations obtained through 

 the notes of mj' fellow travellers. 



During my first visit to the country near Hvalrosodden, August 

 1906, I found traces of the musk-ox everywhere, yet most numer- 

 ously on the wide, fertile plains north and north-west of the head- 

 land. Even though most of the traces seemed rather old, I also 

 came across several quite fresh ones; in a clayey, almost dried-up 

 river bed I thus found fresh foot-prints of an adult animal and a 

 smaller calf. Great numbers of craniums — mostly of old bulls — 

 and other parts of skeletons were scattered about, partly on the 

 plains, partly on the stony mountain ground between Rypefjeldet 

 and Sælsøen. 



After four days spent in vain search for musk-oxen in the 

 above named country, on August 25'^ a hunting party succeeded 

 in finding on the low, evenly sloping mountains north-east of 

 Hvalrosodden, a group of 21 animals, among which were 3 calves 

 and some not quite full-grown specimens. The animals were very 

 shy, and when by means of the greatest caution the hunters had 

 come within shooting distance and killed 4, the rest of the herd fled 

 to the mountains towards the north, where at last the hunters lost 

 sight of them. Among the killed animals were a calf of about four 

 months, a grown-up cow with milk in the teats, besides two old 



