Tht Mi/sl- Ox. 173 



counter so redoubtable an aninial ; and tlie following is an account 

 of the }neeting : — 



On perceiving a herd of cows, undei' the presidency of an old 

 bull, grazing r|uietly at the distance of a few miles from our 

 bivonack, he and Albert cre])t towaids tliem fiom to leeward; 

 but the plain containing neithei' rock nor tree behind which they 

 could shelter themselves, they v/ere perceived bv tbe bull before 

 they could get within gun-shot. The shaggy patriarch advanced 

 before the cows, which threw themselves into a circular group, 

 and, loweiing his shot-proof forehead so as to cover his body, 

 came slowly forwards, stamping and pawing the ground with his 

 fore-feet, bellowing, and showing an evident disposition for fight, 

 while he tainted the atmosphere with the strong musky odour of 

 his body. Neither of the sportsmen were inclined to irritate their 

 bold and formidable opponent by firing, as long as he offered no 

 vital part to their aim ; but, having screwed the bayonets to their 

 fowling-pieces, they advanced warily, relying on each other for 

 support. The cows, in the meantime, beat a retreat, and the bull 

 soon afterwards turned ; on which Mr. Rae fired, and hit him in 

 the hind quarters. He instantly faced about, roared, struck the 

 ground forcibly with his fore-feet:, and seemed to be hesitating 

 whether to charge or not. Our sportsmen drew themselves u|> 

 for the expected shock, and were by no means sorry when he 

 again wheeleil round, and was, in a few seconds, seen climbing a 

 steep and snow clad mountain side, in the rear of his musky kine. 



These animals inhabit the hilly, barren grounds, between the 

 Welcome and the Copper Mountains, from the sixty-third or sixf}'- 

 fourth parallels to the Arctic Sea, and northwards to Parry's Is- 

 lands, or as far as European research has yet extended, They 

 travel from place to place in search of pasture, but do not pene- 

 trate deep into the wooded districts, and are able to procure food 

 in winter on the steep sides of hills which are laid bare by the 

 winds, and up which they climb with an agility which their mas- 

 sive aspect would lead one ignorant of their habits to suppose 

 them to be totally incapable of. In size they are nearly equal to 

 the smallest Highland or Orkney kijloes ; but they are more com- 

 pactly made, and the shaggy hair of their flanks almost touches 

 the ground. In structure they differ from the domestic ox, in the 

 shortness and strength of the bones of the neck, and length of the 

 dorsal processes which support the ponderous head. The swelling- 

 bases of the liorns spread over the foreheads of both sexes, but are 



