48 PEAIEIE AND FOEEST. 



herd to assist in inspecting the supposed intruder before 

 they shift their feeding-grounds for haunts that previous 

 experience has taught them are more secure. 



From the high latitudes in which they have their 

 habitat, Captain Parry, the celebrated voyager, classes 

 them among the dwellers north of the Arctic circle ; and 

 well might he or others do so, for so well are they 

 protected by nature from the inclement weather of the 

 inhospitable regions which they inhabit, that the most 

 severe snow and frost little interfere with the routine of 

 their life. Their wool is remarkably soft, long, and densely 

 close ; so that at a small distance, if they are walking over 

 irregular-surfaced soil, their feet are scarcely seen, the 

 body of surrounding fringe giving the observer the im- 

 pression which would arise if you saw an animal surrounded 

 with a petticoat. Their colour is much the same as that 

 of the buffaloes of the plains, possibly a little darker, and 

 at a distance they might easily be mistaken for them ; but 

 on closer inspection the delusion cannot continue, for their 

 outline of form, sheep-like movement and figure, at once 

 correct the error. In height they stand from eleven and a 

 half to twelve and a half hands, the males being the largest 

 and most cumbersome in appearance. Their legs are 

 excessively short, and gifted with great muscular power, 

 while the track of their hoof is about the size of a two- 

 year-old steer's, but straighter and less pointed. The head 

 is ornamented with handsome horns which almost unite at 

 the base, and taper off with graceful handsome sweeps to 

 sharp points, which arc generally with the mature animal 

 on a level with the eves. The nose is covered with soft 



