118 THE OX TRIBE. 



months, keeping near the rivers ; but retire to the woods 

 in winter. They seem to be less watchful than most other 

 wild animals; and when feeding are not difficult of ap- 

 proach, provided the hunters go against the wind. When 

 two or three men get so near a herd as to fire at them 

 from different points, these animals, instead of separating 

 or running away, huddle closer together, and in this case 

 they are easily shot down ; but if the wound is not mortal, 

 they become enraged, and dart in the most furious manner 

 at the hunters, who must be very dexterous to evade them ; 

 for, notwithstanding the shortness of their legs, they can 

 run with great rapidity, and climb hills and rocks, with 

 great ease. They can defend themselves by their powerful 

 horns against wolves and bears, which, as the Indians say, 

 they not unfrequently kill. (Capt. Franklin's 'Journey to 

 the Polar Sea/) 



They are hunted in their winter retreats by the Esqui- 

 maux only, the Indian tribes never visiting the barren 

 grounds at that season. 



When the Musk-ox is fat, its flesh is well tasted, and it 

 is then preferred by the Copper Indians to the rein- deer. 

 The flesh of bulls is high-flavoured ; but both bulls and 

 cows smell strongly of musk, their flesh at the same time 

 being very dark and tough. The contents of the paunch, 

 and other intestinal parts, are relished as much by the 

 Indian as the similar parts of the rein- deer. (Appendix 

 to Capt. Parry's ' Second Voyage.') 



The weight of the bulls killed during Capt. Parry's 

 Second Voyage was, on an average about 700 Ibs., yielding 

 about 400 Ibs. of meat. Their height, at the withers, was 

 about ten hands and a half. 



They were observed by Capt. Franklin's party to rut 



