RUMINANTIA. 223 



color is black; the head is large and square; the eyes mod- 

 erately large; the ears short, and scarcely visible through the 

 surrounding long hair. Under the hair of the body, is an admir. 

 able second coat, consisting of brown, or ash-colored wool ; the 

 legs are short and thick, covered with close hair, unmixed with 

 wool; the tail very short ; the hoofs are small compared with 

 the size of the animal, resembling those of the Rein Deer. It 

 is said "none but an experienced hunter can distinguish the dif- 

 ference of the impressions made by the toes on the snow." Its 

 food is also like that of the Rein Deer, lichens in winter ; grass 

 in summer. The length of the Musk Ox from the nose to the 

 root of the tail, is ahout five and a half feet ; and its weight, ac- 

 cording to Parry, about 700 Ibs. It is gregarious, being found 

 in herds, twenty or thirty in number. The home of these ani- 

 mals is in the barren lands of North America, in regions above 

 the 60th degree of latitude. They are hunted by the Esquimaux, 

 but not without danger, as when provoked or wounded, they are 

 apt to turn upon the pursuer. The poor creatures seem to fancy 

 that the report of guns is thunder, and crowd together in a mass, 

 so that they afford a good mark. If, however, they get sight of 

 one of their assailants, they instantly charge at him, and then they 

 are very dangerous enemies. Sometimes the Esquimaux turn 

 the animals' irritation to good account; for, after the adroit 

 hunter has provoked the animal, and induced it to attack him, he 

 wheels around it more quickly than it can turn ; and by re- 

 peated stabs, puts an end to its life. The speed of the Musk Ox 

 in running, is great, and it climbs rocky paths and broken and 

 uneven sides of hills, with great agility. Sir John Richardson 

 says, the wool of this animal "resembles that of the Bison, but is 

 perhaps finer, and would be highly useful in the arts, if it could 

 be procured in sufficient quantity." The same author informs 

 us, that " when the animal is fat, its flesh is well tasted, and re- 

 sembles that of the Caribou, but has a coarser grain." When 

 lean, these animals " smell strongly of musk, their flesh, at the 

 same time, being very dark and tough, and certainly far inferior 

 to that of any other ruminant animal in North America." 



QUESTIONS UPON THE BOVIDAE, (OX FAMILY.) 



How is Bovidae derived ? What is said of the general character of this 

 family? What of the horns in particular? What of the appearance and 

 habits of these animals ? What kind of food do they use ? What plants 

 are hurtful to them ? How many plants do oxen eat ? How many do they 

 reject? Which species furnishes the type of the entire tribe ? How many 

 synonyms have been given ? Give the different names appropriated to this 

 animal ? How are the breeds of this animal usually distinguished ? What 



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