302 THE MUSK-OX. 



with which the flesh of the animal is also impreg- 

 nated. 



" This quaint-looking animal is only to be met with 

 in the high northern latitudes of America. Some have 

 asserted that it is also to be found in Arctic Siberia ; 

 but it seems probable that this is erroneous. The mis- 

 take is most likely attributable to the fact that several 

 skeletons of the animal have been carried by icebergs 

 which have drifted westward from our own northern 

 coasts, and have been deposited on the shores of 

 Siberia. 



" The musk-ox is an active animal. Its legs are 

 short ; but, notwithstanding this, it can run with great 

 swiftness, and can clamber among rocks and hills with 

 ease. Sir John Richardson, describing it, says : 



" ' One pursued on the Coppermine River scaled a 

 lofty sand-cliff, having so great a declivity that we 

 were obliged to crawl on hands and knees to follow it. 

 These oxen assemble in herds of from twenty to thirty 

 about the end of August or beginning of September. 

 The females bring forth a single calf about the end of 

 May or beginning of June. Herne, from the circum- 

 stance of few bulls being seen, supposes that they 

 kill each other for the cows. If the hunters keep 

 themselves concealed when they fire upon a herd 

 of musk-oxen, the poor animals mistake the noise for 

 thunder, and crowd nearer and nearer to each other as 

 their companions fall around them ; but should they 

 discover their enemies by sight, or by their sense of 



