FIRST LIVE MUSK-OX IN NEW YORK 149 



an easy task to make my drawings with my model 

 so close to me; although an old hand at this kind 

 of work, I found it more or less disconcerting 

 whenever I would look up from my work to see the 

 cage surrounded by a crowd of curious people. 



Neither did it relieve my embarrassment when 

 such questions as: "What are you locked up for, 

 old man?" "How many days did the judge give 

 you?" "Do they feed you on hay?" "Do you have 

 to sleep with that cow o'night?" were hurled at 

 me from various quarters of the compass. 



These sallies of wit were greeted by the rest of 

 the crowd with unconcealed merriment, but not- 

 withstanding the inconvenience of the small space, 

 and the public exhibition of myself as a caged 

 wild man, I shall 'always remember gentle little 

 "Olive" and my visit to her with pleasure and 

 never cease to regret her untimely death. 



The musk-ox is perfectly adapted by nature to 

 the barren, cold countries where it lives. Its flesh 

 is good for food, does not taste of musk and it 

 probably saved General Greely's party from starva- 

 tion. Lieutenant Peary is also indebted to the 

 musk-ox for many much needed additions to his 

 stock of provisions. 



However, unless some 



STRINGENT MEASURES 



are introduced the musk-ox, like the poor buffalo, 

 will be wiped out of existence. If it was domesti- 

 cated it could be used by settlers in the north coun- 



