The Musk, Ox. 17.^ 



great numbers ; on one plain I observed as many as seventy graz- 

 ing within a circuit -of two miles; on my approach tbey divided 

 anto herds of about fifteen each, headed by two or three enormous 

 bulls. Their manoeuvres were so quick and regular that they were 

 more to be compared to squadrons of cavalry than anything I 

 'could think of. One herd advanced several times at a gallop 

 ■within rifle-shot, and formed in pei'fect line with bulls in advance, 

 showing a formidable front of horns. The last time they advanced 

 at a gallop to about sixty yards, and formed in line, the bulls at 

 the same time snorting and tearing up the snow. Immediately I 

 Sred they wheeled round, joined the main herd, and made oif out 

 •of sight, only waiting occasionally for the wounded one." 



And in Captain L. M'Clintock's sledge journey along the north- 

 ern coast of Melville Island and Prince Patrick's Island, he gives 

 a glowing description of an encounter with a noble bull, which we 

 transcribe as it stands in the Blue Book of 1855 : — ■ 



" We saw and shot two very, large musk-bulls, a well-timed 

 supply, as the last of the venison was used this morning:; we found 

 them to be in better condition than any we had ever seen. I shall 

 never forget the death-struggle of one of these noble bulls ; a 

 Spanish bull-fight gives no idea of it, and even the slaughter of 

 the bear is tame in comparison. This animal was shot through 

 the lungs, and blood gushed from his n-ostiils upon the snow. As 

 it stood fiercely watching us, prepared, yet unable to charge, its 

 small but fixed glaring eyes were almost concealed by masses of 

 shaggy hair, and its whole frame was fearfully convulsed with 

 agony ; the tremulous motion was communicated to its enormous 

 covering of tangled wool and hair; even the coarse thick mane 

 seemed to rise indignant, and slowly waved from side to side. It 

 seemed as if the very fury of its passion was pent up within it fo'f 

 one final — a revengeful — charge. There was no roaring, the ma- 

 jestic beast was dumb : but the wild gleam of savage fire which 

 shot from his eyes, and his menacing attitude, was far more terri- 

 ble than the most hideous bellow. We watched in silence, for 

 time was doing our work, nor did we venture to lower our guns 

 until, his strength becoming exhausted, he reeled and fell. 



"I have never witnessed such an intensity of rage, nor imagined 

 for one moment that such an apparently stupid brute, under any 

 circumstances of pain and passion, could have presented such a 

 truly appalling spectacle. It is almost impossible to conceive a 

 more teirific sight than that which was presented to us in the dying 



