THE MUSK-OX. 301 



heven't chawed, an' one o' 'em is musk-ox. I'm cur'ous 

 about it." 



" I have tried it," answered Pierre ; " but I did not 

 like it. It tastes too musky ; the young does, how- 

 ever, are the best. They are very curious creatures, 

 and seem like relics of the antediluvian world rather 

 than animals to be met with in our humdrum days." 



" What sort ur they ? " asked Jake ; " I hain't never 

 seed the varmints." 



" In appearance," answered the young trapper, open- 

 ing his manuscript book, " they bear a general resem- 

 blance to a large sheep. In fact, their scientific 

 designation (Ovibos moschatus) recognizes their relation- 

 ship or at least similarity to both the ox and the 

 sheep. They are furnished with hair, however, instead 

 of wool; and this grows to a great length, almost 

 touching the ground as the animal stands. In looking 

 at the horns, we are reminded of the Cape buffalo, as 

 these formidable-looking weapons are in both similarly 

 joined together at their bases, and effectually protect, 

 by a mass of bony substance, the foreheads of the 

 animals from any ordinary injury. As is the case with 

 other species, the horns of the female are somewhat 

 smaller than those of the male, nor do they meet so 

 perfectly over the forehead. In both sexes the latter 

 is much arched ; and as a defence against the rigorous 

 weather of its habitat, the face is thickly covered 

 with hair to the end of the muzzle. The tail is very 

 short, and exhales a very disagreeable smell of musk, 



