516 THE MUSK-OX. 



general aspect and character it resembles the ox tribe, hence 

 its generic name, compounded of ovis a sheep, and bos an ox. 

 Mr. Ogilby observes that, " with a broad naked muzzle is 

 associated that mode of feeding called grazing ; but ruminants 

 that have a hairy muzzle, as the sheep, browse they nip the 

 herbage, making a certain use of their lips, in guiding or 

 collecting it, these parts enjoy greater mobility, and a certain 

 degree of prehension." 



Captain Franklin says, that " the musk-oxen associate in 

 herds, and generally frequent barren grounds [and rocky places] 

 during the summer months, keeping near the rivers, but retire 

 to the woods in winter. They seem to be less watchful than 

 most other wild animals ; and when grazing, are not difficult 

 to approach, if the hunters go against the wind. When two 

 or three men get so near a herd as to fire at them from different 

 points, these animals, instead of separating or running away, 

 huddle close together, and several are generally killed -, but if 

 their wounds are not mortal they become enraged, and dart 

 in the most furious manner at the hunters, who must be very 

 dexterous to evade them. They can defend themselves by their 

 powerful horns against wolves and bears, which, as the Indians 

 say, they not unfrequently kill." 



Dr. Richardson states that, " notwithstanding the shortness 

 of its legs, the musk-ox runs fast, and climbs hills and rocks 

 -with great ease. One, which we pursued on the banks of the 

 Coppermine, scaled a lofty sand cliff having so great a declivity 

 that we were obliged to crawl on our hands and knees to 

 follow it." 



The food of the musk-ox appears to be the same as that of 

 the rein-deer -, browsing, during the chief portion of the year, 

 upon the lichens which cover the rocks ; but in summer, 

 feeding upon the twigs of willow, birch, pine -shoots, coarse 

 grass, and other herbage. 



When fat the flesh, especially of the bulls, is well flavoured, 

 and resembles that of rein-deer, but has a coarser grain. Both 

 sexes, when lean, smell strongly of musk, their flesh at the 



