46 PEAIEIE AND FOEEST. 



where the game -will be found, with very possibly the 

 assistance of a guide and hunter who is thoroughly con- 

 versant with all the surrounding country. 



English and American sportsmen of the present day 

 are possessed of such courage and perseverance that 

 the rigour of the Arctic regions does not intimidate 

 them ; or I would not introduce my readers to this 

 animal. 



Why the musk sheep should be designated ox by some 

 persons is to me a mystery. Plainly do its appearance, 

 habits, &c., designate it as a member of the Ovis family, 

 instead of the Bos. However, Blainville, a naturalist of 

 good reputation, to avoid censure, boldly seizes both, and 

 designates it Oi'ibos, thereby claiming a distinct standing 

 and title to the honour of representing a new genus by 

 adopting the sobriquet of two old ones. Audubon does 

 likewise, and heads his chapters on these animals with the 

 title of " Genus Ovibos." As an authority on American 

 natural history, the latter is entitled to the highest con- 

 sideration. At the same time I cannot help feeling that 

 the name adopted is a shuffling pretext to prevent contro- 

 v<-rsy, and the possibility of making a mistake that in future 

 yuMi-s would require to be corrected. 



Among the numerous lakes of North America, that are 

 situated on the extreme edge of the Eocky Mountains and 

 the barren lands in sixty-four or sixty-five degrees north 

 latitude, the musk sheep (for I must call it so) is 

 occasionally found, but when the traveller progresses 

 farther to the north-west it is no uncommon occurrence in 

 a day's march to see several herds ; in fact, they were so 



