OiJNTHEE. — MAMMALIA OF GREENLAND. 37 



3. Specimens of every species met with north of 80° should 

 be preserved, if found in any way to vary from more southern 

 races. 



4. No opportunity should be neglected of examining the uterus 

 of female animals, partly to ascertain the period of procreation, 

 partly to obtain foetal specimens for future examination. 



5. To enable future inquirers to institute comparisons as re- 

 gards the numerical increase or decrease of certain Mammals, 

 within the Arctic circle, registers ought to be kept in which the 

 numbers of individuals of every species seen during the voyage, 

 are entered from day to day : this refers more especially to the 

 bear, musk-ox, reindeer, and walrus. 



With regard to the single species the following points deserve 

 particular attention : — 



1. Polar Bear, — Ascertain the proportion of the number of 

 males to females, noting the age (whether full or not full grown) 

 and the time of the year at which the individuals have been observed. 

 The accounts of a partial hybernation of this animal appear to refer 

 to the females only, which probably at some time in the winter 

 retire into secluded spots to give birth to the young. Gather in- 

 formation respecting the condition of the cubs before they are able 

 to follow the mother, and preserve the skins and skulls of such 

 young examples. 



2. Wolverine. — Occurs, according to Fabricius, in South Green- 

 land ; but if Fabricius Was not mistaken in his determination, it 

 must be limited to parts of the interior where reindeer can subsist. 

 Obtain if possible a skin or other positive evidence of the exis- 

 tence of this animal by offering a reward to the natives. 



3. Weasel and Stoat have hitherto not been found in Greenland, 

 but if the Lemming, which has been met with in East Greenland 

 only, should reappear further north or on the Crest coast, it is 

 possibly accompanied by some species of Mustela which feeds on 

 the Lemming. Specimens (skins and skeletons) or even mere 

 fragments of them should be carefully preserved. 



4. The Arctic Fox. — The blue and white varieties are said to 

 occur promiscuously at certain localities (one or the other being 

 predominant, and to be found even in the same litter.) Accu- 

 rate observations should be made upon this subject. Is the 

 colour permanent in the same individual all the year round ? Are 

 any cases known of an individual having changed the colour of its 

 coat ? Is the diversity of colour at all in connexion with their 

 food and the mode of obtaining it ? It might be surmised that 

 the white-coloured variety is better able to approach hares or 

 ptarmigan than the blue which would obtain its food chiefly from 

 the nests of birds, any animal offal, shells, crustaceans, and from the 

 caches they have been observed to prepare for the dearth of winter. 

 Is the sense of smelling as well developed as in its European 

 congener ? 



Skins and skeletons of both varieties to be preserved. 



5. The Eskimo Dog. — If unfortunately opportunity should 

 occur, the phenomena connected with the Arctic Dog-madness 



