CHAPTER XVIIL 



THE MUSK SHEEP OF ARCTIC AMERICA. 



WHY this animal should be designated ox is to me a 

 mystery. Plainly do its appearance, habits, &c., desig- 

 nate it as a member of the Oms family, instead of the 

 Bos. However, Blainville, a naturalist of good repu- 

 tation, to avoid censure, boldly seizes both, and 

 designates it Ovibos, thereby claiming a distinct stand- 

 ing and title to the honour of its representing a new 

 genus by adopting the sobriquet of two old ones. 

 Audubon does likewise, and heads his chapters on 

 these animals with the title of " Genus Ovibos." As 

 an authority on American natural history, the latter 

 is entitled to the highest consideration. At the same 

 time I cannot help feeling that the name adopted is a 

 shuffling pretext to prevent controversy, and the pos- 

 sibility of making a mistake that in future years would 

 require to be corrected. 



