326 PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. . [aNNO 1772. 



weather, and rain, the whole quantity of which, from the year 177 1, was 30.153 

 inches. * 



XXVIII. jiccounl of several Quadrupeds from Hudson's Bay.-^- By Mr. John 

 Reinhold Forster, F. R. S. p. 370. 



1. Arctic Fox, Penn. Synops. of Quad. p. 155, n. 113. Canis Lagopus, Linn. 

 Place, Severn river. 



A most beautiful specimen, in its snowy winter fur; this animal seems to be 

 lower on its legs than the common fox, and is well secured against the intense 

 cold of the climate, by the thickness and length of its hairs, which are at the 

 same time as soft as silk. The account sent along with it from Severn river says, 

 that these white foxes are silly, inoffensive animals; and are known to stand by, 

 while a trap is baited for them, into which they put their heads immediately: 

 they will, when pinched by hunger, devour those of their own kind, which are 

 already caught in these traps. But the most curious circumstance is, their mi- 

 gration to the northward and the eastern coasts of the bay ; for though a few of 

 them are caught every year near York fort and Churchill river, yet, once in^S 

 or 4 years, they come in great numbers; and several hundred of their furs are 

 sent to England iii plentiful seasons, which always begin in November and end 

 in April. The specimen sent is full grown, and its fur quite in season. 



1. Lesser Otter. Penn. Syn. Quad. p. 239, "• 174. Mustek Lutreola, Linn. 

 Syst. Nat. QQ. Faun, Suec. N° 13. Place, Severn river. 



It is still dubious, whether this animal ought to be considered as the same 

 with the lesser otter of Europe and Asia; many circumstances seem to prove 

 this identity; but some, such as the want of webs, which could not be disco- 

 vered between the toes, and the white spot on the neck, will not admit of it. 

 The natives of Hudson's Bay call this quadruped jakash; Mr. Graham from 

 Severn river says, that it harbours about creeks, and lives on fish, like the otter; 



* This is the last paper of this kind, which the Society will receive from the excellent author of 

 the Natural History of Cornwall, and several other learned works; death having, though at an ad- 

 vanced age, put a period to a life divided between the pursuit of useful and experimental knowledge, 

 and the faithfiil discharge of every moral and religious duty. M. M. — Orig. 



+ Among the occasional advantages, which the observations of the last transit of Venus have pro- 

 cured, that of receiving useful informations from, and settling correspondencies in, several parts of 

 the world, is not the least considerable. From the factory at Hudson's Bay, the ii. s. were favoured 

 with a large collection of uncommon quadrupeds, birds, fishes, &c. together with some account of 

 their names, place of abode, manner of life, uses, by Mr. Graham, a gentleman belonging to the 

 settlement on Severn river ; and the governors of the Hudson's Bay Company have most obligingly 

 sent orders, that these communications should be from time to time continued. The descriptions 

 contained in the following papers were prepared and given by Mr. Forster, before his departure on an 

 expedition, which will probably open an ample field to the most important discoveries. M. Maty. 

 —Orig. 



