AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 333 



clieese. Some pigeon fenders raised for market five tliousand 

 pigeons. 



[Bulletin Mensuel DoLaSocietelmperialeZoologiqiio D'Acclimatation, Paris, Sept. 1857.] 



THE MUSK OX—(Oommgmak,) 



Of the Esquimaux of the high latitudes of A'^orth America, as far 

 as the Arctic Circle. 



He is small in stature, but seems very large on account of his 

 enormous coat of hair and wool, hanging down on both sides, 

 entirely hiding his form. His throat and bre:.,st are covered 

 with long hair; his general color is dark brown, except one 

 whitish spot on his back, which is called his saddle. Among 

 twelve or fifteen hundred of them, we saw but one white ! 



He i>refers the most rocky, savage districts, feeding on herbs 

 and mosses part of the year, and on lichens the rest of the year. 

 When he is fit, his flesh is excellent, but at certain periods the 

 strong musk spoils it. 



Although his legs are short, he can run up rocks where no 

 man can well follow him; almost perpendicular. 



In September they assemble, not for emigration, but to defend 

 themselves against wolves. Many stay all winter on Melville 

 island and keep fat there. When they are attacked they form a 

 very compact phalanx witli all the young ones in the centre, and 

 presenting on all sides their heads to the enemy. The males 

 striking the earth with their horns and feet, the oldest ox in 

 front, occasionally advancing, like a general, to reconnoitre the 

 enemy. They look fierce, but the hunter may approach them 

 very near with his gun, and on his first fire the whole herd takes 

 to its heels, abandoning their killed and wounded. I never saw 

 but one of them charge a hunter, and he had a dozen bullets in 

 his body. 



In winter his wool is almost as fine as silk, and could, in some 

 stuffs, take its place. 



A full grown Musk Ox — The male. 



Length, from the base of the horns to the root of the tail, 

 about seven feet. 



