330 EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



of horn on the outside curve is 29 inches. A large bull killed 

 at Aylmer Lake was measured by Seton as follows: Total 

 length, 96 inches; tail, 4 inches; height at shoulder, 59 inches. 

 The basal length of the skull in adult males is about 466 mm., 

 with a maxillary toothrow of 132 mm. 



The continental range of the muskox formerly was more or 

 less coextensive with the barren grounds west of Hudson Bay, 

 extending to the Arctic coast and the adjacent islands, which 

 must have been reached by crossing on the ice in winter. On 

 account of certain characteristic habits this species became 

 peculiarly liable to extermination when hunted by men with 

 modern weapons. Lacking the speed to escape such enemies 

 as wolves, and having the habit of living in small groups, these 

 animals when attacked would form a close circle, the adults 

 with heads out to the enemy, the young huddled at the inner 

 side against their mothers' quarters. When closely approached 

 by wolves, one of the company would suddenly dash out from 

 the ring in an endeavor to rip one of the assailants with its 

 horns, then as quickly dart back into its place. This method 

 of defense, while probably efficient against wolves, its only 

 natural enemy, was often its undoing when attacked by men 

 with modern guns, for the entire group might then be killed 

 at close quarters. Against Eskimo and Indians, who in former 

 days often depended in part upon muskox for winter food, this 

 defense was probably more effective before the use of firearms. 

 During the summer season the almost impenetrable muskegs 

 of the north form a fairly safe retreat, and the animals' long 

 silky coat seems sufficient protection against cold and bliz- 

 zards. But against Eskimo and Indians with modern arms, 

 they can make little stand, while the thoughtlessness of human 

 pursuers in wantonly killing entire groups has in places brought 

 the species to the verge of extinction. 



There is evidence that at no very distant time the range of 

 the muskox extended westward at least to Point Barrow, 

 Alaska, where according to Frank Russell, in 1898, the oldest 

 natives "say that their fathers killed muskox, which were then 

 abundant." The fact that skulls of muskoxen have been found 

 on the neighboring tundra confirms this statement. J. A. 

 Allen (1913), in reviewing this evidence, believes that muskoxen 

 existed on the tundra of northern Alaska till about the middle 

 of the nineteenth century. A. J. Stone, after extensive inquiry 



