244 



EXPLORATIONS IN THE FAR NORTH 



varied from none in 1890, to thirteen in 1887. The most of the 

 arctic foxskins that reach the markets of the world are obtained 

 from the Eskimos, who catch them in traps made of blocks of 

 ice which no self-respecting V.fulvus would even approach. 1 



A young specimen (No. 10,885), probably of this variety, 

 perhaps two weeks old, is of a uniform seal brown on the back 

 and flanks and grayish white beneath. Another individual 

 (No. 10,886), about half grown, is seal brown along the back, 

 somewhat darker on the flanks and legs where there is an ad- 

 mixture of white hairs; the sides are a deep buff becoming 

 white beneath. This animal was evidently about to assume 

 the adult pelage as long hairs were beginning to appear. The 

 two specimens were playing about a burrow on the Arctic 

 coast, where they were shot from the canoe as we passed. 

 Taxidermists should note the fact that they are hazel eyed. 2 



The natives receive about a dollar each for prime skins. 



They are more abundant than the other species of foxes in 

 America but are said by the traders to be decreasing in numbers. 



The white fox is widely distributed throughout the Arctic 

 zone being frequently met with on isolated islands or ice floes. 

 They occur along the northern border of the territory visited, 

 their southern limit of distribution being the Great Slave Lake. 



Three specimens; one winter skin from Herschel Island, and 

 two young, Warren Point, July 5th. 



Thalarctos maritimus Linn. White Bear. 



Sa-te-ki, D. R. Chi-zi, L. 



While at Herschel Island I was informed by the Eskimos 

 that the "nanook" sometimes gathered in scores about the car- 

 cass of a stranded whale. The flesh of a polar bear, killed near 

 the buildings, was all eaten except the liver, which even the 

 dogs avoided. 3 The skin was removed entire, that is, in such 



1 Compare Parry, Second Voyage, p. 151. "These animals were found to 

 be so stupid that they allowed themselves to be caught a second time in 

 the same trap after they had escaped from the ship." Fifteen were caught 

 in four hours in a cask with a sliding door. 



8 " Eyes a clear light hazel." Lyon, Capt. G. F., Jotimal, p. 74. 



3 Compare J. C. Ross: "The skin peeled from the body of men eating 

 those killed at Fury Beach, also on Parry's Expedition the men's skin 

 peeled on feet, legs, and arms after living several days wholly on two 

 bears." ''The Eskimos give the liver to the dogs." Appendix to Narra- 

 tive of Second Voyage, p. 7. 



