46 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



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 impression 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 out- 

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

 correct the error. In height they stand from eleven 

 and 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 

 are generally with the mature animal on a level with 

 the eyes. The nose is covered with soft downy hair, 

 and the eye, which is large and full, gives the phy- 

 siognomy an intelligent look, which would induce the 



