THE WORLD'S WOXDKRS. 67V 



within twelve feet of a large hull and thei 'nrew it with such 

 precision that the animal received the weapon in its shoulder ; 

 maddened by the pain the bull plunged desperately at the man, 

 barely grazing his fur jacket with its sharp horns. To prevent 

 further mischief, Capt. Hall shot the infuriated bull. Usually, a 

 herd of musk-oxen will brave any danger, but in this instance, at 

 the sound of the gun all except two broke away over the hills 

 and escaped. These two stood their ground, each throwing his 

 massive head up and down between his fore feet, rubbing the 

 tips of his horns, which were already almost as sharp as needles. 

 This is their habit when in open ground, but if there are auy 

 rocks near by they sharpen their horns on these. It was a grand 

 sight to see the two bulls at bay. fire shooting from their eyes 

 and their tails lashing from side to side like lions before charging. 

 The dogs kept running round the bulls, sometimes snapping at 

 their heels and so distracting their attention that the Innuits 

 were enabled to advance close enough to use their lances. The 

 contest was very much more exciting, because more dangerous, 

 than a Spanish bull-fight, and for a time, Capt. Hall had great 

 fears for the safety of the men, but they were skilled in such 

 fighting. Gradually the Innuits contracted the circle they had 

 formed around the animals, until at last they threw their lances 

 with such accuracy and fatal effect that the bulls charged blindly, 

 only to rush upon other lances, which speedily dispatched them. 

 Viewed in open ground, where there is no undue advantage 

 taken, an Esquimaux attack with lances on a herd of musk-oxen 

 is wonderfully interesting, and is frequently attended by fatal 

 results to the attacking party. 



. THE ARCTIC FOX. 



THE Arctic fox almost exclusively inhabits the treeless wastes 

 that fringe the Polar Ocean, and is found on almost all the islands 

 that lie buried in its bosom . This pretty little creature, which in 

 water grows perfectly white, knows how to protect itself against 

 the most intense cold, either by seeking a refuge in the clefts of 

 jocks, or by burrowing to a considerable depth in a sandy soil. 

 It principally preys upon lemmings, stoats, Polar hares, as well 



