MUSK- OX 



397 



Head of Bull Musk-Ox. 



MUSK-OX (Ovibos moschatus). 



In spite of its name, this Arctic ruminant has no near affinity with 

 the members of the ox tribe, the cheek-teeth being more like those of 

 the sheep and goats, the muzzle, except for a small strip between the 

 nostrils, hairy, and the tail reduced to a mere stump concealed among 

 the long hair of the hind-quarters. On the other hand, the resemblance 

 to the sheep is not very close, the horns, which in old males nearly 

 meet in the middle line of the forehead, being of a totally different form 

 and structure, and the skull likewise very distinct. In the males the 

 horns are much flattened and expanded at the bases, after which they 

 are bent suddenly down behind the eyes, to curve upwards again at the 

 tips. In the females they are much smaller, less expanded, and not 

 approximated at their bases. In both sexes their texture is coarse 

 and fibrous, and their colour yellow. The long coat of dark brown 

 hair depending from the back and sides like a mantle affords an 

 adequate protection against the rigors of an Arctic winter ; and the 

 broad spreading hoofs, with hair on their under-surface, give a firm 



