f>98 PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL MUSEUM. vol. x.xviu. 



liii\iiiii- three or foui- of a laro-er size stitched to the lower part 

 thereof, made a tine display, while the jingling of the bells emitted 

 sounds of a jnusical and agreea])le nature. From previous experience, 

 the dogs knew that they were approaching a haven of food, plenty, 

 and temporary rest, and once started, they lost no time in cantering 

 over the inlcrvening distance. In course of upward of forty years' 

 personal knowledge and experience of hauling dogs of various breeds 

 in arctic America, British Columbia, and the Northwest Territories, 

 the ali'eadvTalluded-to smallest dog in my own team, KcKl'dijoo (Cree 

 for taill(\ss dog), was, for Ji!>< s!ze, the very best all-round hauler 1 

 ever nu't, drove, or heard of in the country. The very nearest 

 approach to him in endurance and other good qualities was Cerf-i'olant^ 

 so highly and justl}' commended by Colonel (now General) Sir William 

 F. Butler, K. C. B., in his Wild Noi'th Land. During the winter of 

 1S72-TH, we traveled together from Carlton House to Foi't Chipewyan, 

 and 1 had, therefore, ample opportunities of witnessing the admirable 

 qualities of that tine animal. 



The mother of Kcxlxdijon was barely a month old when 1 bought her 

 from an elderly Eskimo woman at Fort Anderson, where she even- 

 tually developed into a small, but compactly built, creature. Her 

 tirst litter of pups consisted of three males (one died of distemper 

 months afterwards) and one female, who sul)sequently became the 

 mother of the unfortunate dog eaten up by wolves on December 1, 

 1869. (The two survivors made the long winter journey.) On this 

 occasion the mother appeared to suifer agonizing pain in endeavoring 

 to bring forth her tirst-born pup. but the administration of a dessert- 

 spoon full t)f tincture of lavender acted like a charm. The relief given 

 was innnediate, and all four pups were born without delay." Her 

 next continement, seven months later, was apparently easy. There 

 was but one male {lu^sl'ityoo) and two females. 



A more devoted and atfectionate family of dogs 1 never knew. In 

 corro))oration of this view I would mention a few traits: The last littei 

 was brought forth in a wooden kennel within the fort stockades, dui'ing 

 the season when Indians and Plskimos were f re(juent visitors, and some 

 of their hungry dogs would have no hesitation in devouring any stray 

 puppies; ])ut for months after their birth one or more of the tirst litter 

 kept guard with the mother in protecting the young puppies from this 

 or any other dangei'. In fact, they were never left alone during a 

 period of several weeks, but were always carefulh' watched. I can 

 not remember any instances of (luai'reling among themselves. On the 

 contrary, they nevcn- failed to stand by each other when attacked by 

 strange dogs or when they themselves became aggressive. 



"I may licre remark that I have ])erHOualIy known several cases in which this 

 medical preparation greatly aided both hnman and canine mothers nnder similar 

 circumstances. 



