187G MUSK-OX MEAT. 235 



waited to see what would happen at the wardroom 

 table ; but it was soon evident that there was no bias 

 on the mess-deck, one and all exclaiming about the 

 musky flavour, but not wishing to lose a fresh meat 

 meal we all persisted in eating it. The after conse- 

 quences were far from agreeable, for several of us had 

 the musky flavour in our mouths all night and this 

 morning ; in fact last night it was an excuse for an 

 extra pipe and glass of grog which, however, did not 

 mend matters. This morning many, even of those 

 who did not try the corrective, complain of headache. 

 It is impossible to ascertain with any certainty why 

 this piece of meat was pervaded with such a strong 

 musky flavour ; it is supposed not to have been skinned 

 for four or five hours after it was killed. In nearly all 

 cases where the carcase was skinned and cleaned im- 

 mediately after the animal was killed the flesh was 

 free from taint ; but whether the skinning or cleaning 

 is the more important operation is an undecided 

 matter amongst us. With tainted meat the part 

 nearest the outside has a more musky flavour than that 

 near the bone.' 



So many musk-oxen were shot by the crew of the 

 ' Discovery ' at a distance from the ship, during the 

 autumn, that they were obliged to be left on the 

 ground unskinned and uncleaned for several hours, 

 before being carried on board. Nearly all the meat, 

 thus left for a time unprepared, " proved to be unfit 

 for food owing to its musky flavour. 



' $th. — Temperature minus 50°. The calm weather 

 of the autumn seems to have returned to us, but the 

 severe cold prevents our wandering far from the ship. 



