CLASS I. MAMMALIA: ORDER 9. RUMINANTIA. 



493 



THE MUSK OX. 



the polar regions of North America ; the Mateeh Mbostoos, or Ugly Bison of the Cree Indians. 

 The Barren Lands, lying to the north of the sixtieth parallel, are their chief haunts. They frequent 

 rocky regions destitute of woods, living on grass in the mild season and on lichens in winter. 

 They are about one third the size of the common ox, one of them weighing from three to four hun- 

 dred pounds. The horns are broad at the base, and meet and cover the brow and crown of the 

 head. The general color of the hair is brown ; this is long, matted, and curled on the neck and 

 between the shoulders, where it is rather grizzled ; on the back and hips it is long but lies smoothly ; 

 on the shoulders, sides, and thighs it is so long as to hang down below the middle of the leg. 

 There is on the center of the back a mark of soiled brownish-white, called by Captain Parry the 

 saddle. On the throat and chest the hair is very straight and long, and together with the long 

 hair on the lower jaw, hangs down like a beard and dewlap. The short tail is concealed by the 

 fur of the hips. There is a large quantity of fine brownish ash-colored wool or down among the hair 

 covering the body. The hair on the legs is short, and of a dull brownish-white, unmixed with wool. 

 The hoofs are longer than those of the caribou, but so similar in form that it requires the eye of 

 a practiced hunter to distinguish the impressions. In the cow, which is smaller than the bull, 

 the horns are smaller, and their bases, instead of touching, are separated by a hairy space. The 

 legs are short, but the animal runs fast, and easily scales the rocky ledges which are nearly im- 

 passable to horses. They live in herds of twenty to thirty, and bring forth in May or June. 

 Many of the bulls are killed in furious conflicts with each other. The flesh is, in general, highly 

 relished, but the animals have a strong musky flavor, which renders their meat, when lean, 

 strong and unsavory. 



These creatures are much hunted by the Esquimaux and other Indians. Richardson says, " If 

 the hunters keep themselves concealed when they fire upon a herd, the poor animals mistake the 

 inoise for thunder, and, forming themselves into a group, crowd nearer and nearer together as their 

 companions fall around them; but should they discover their enemies by" sight, or by their sense 

 of smell, which is very acute, the whole herd seek for safety by instant flight. The bulls, how- 

 ever, are very irascible, particularly when wounded, and will often attack the hunter, and endan- 

 ger his life unless he possesses both activity and presence of mind. The Esquimaux, who are well 



