38 GUNTHER. — MAMMALIA OF GREENLAND. 



should be a matter for serious observation. The subject has 

 been treated by Dr. W. L. Lindsay in the " British and Foreign 

 " Medico-chirurgical Review" for January 1870 and July 1871. 

 The points requiring special attention are : 1. The probable causes 

 (generally believed to be cold and darkness). Does the disease 

 show itself first in dogs of the pure Eskimo-breed, or in crosses 

 between native and European dogs? 2. The symptoms and 

 course of the disease (are they identical in both races ?). 3. The 

 means by which the contagion is conveyed. 



The time of gestation of the pure native breed (said to be a 

 direct descendant of the American Wolf, Canis occidentalis) ought 

 to be ascertained ; further information collected as regards the state- 

 ments, according to which it readily reverts into the wild state ; 

 and a number of skulls and skeletons and some skins obtained. 



6. Domestic Cat. — In localities where no recent importation of 

 the cat has taken place, it will be of interest to ascertain whether, 

 in the course of some generations, any change in the closeness and 

 colour of the fur and in the fertility of the species has been ob- 

 served. 



7. Hare. — A series of good skins obtained at different seasons 

 of the year (with the skulls) as well as some skeletons are re- 

 quired. 



8. Musk Ox. — Every fact adding to our knowledge of its actual 

 geographical range, as well as of the changes that have taken place in 

 its distribution in time, is of great interest. It seems that evidences 

 of its former existence on the West coast are not scarce ; and the 

 skulls and other parts of the skeleton which may be found, ought 

 to be preserved, with careful observations on the conditions of the 

 locality. As many skins, skulls, and skeletons of animals of both 

 sexes and of all ages, as can be conveniently procured, prepared, 

 and packed, should be preserved. 



A careful dissection of the soft parts ought to be made, and 

 some of them, such as the brain, a gravid uterus (if not too far 

 advanced in pregnancy), and the intestinal tract preserved, 

 the first two in spirits, the last in strong brine. Finally, it would 

 be most desirable to make an attempt to bring young animals to 

 Europe ; and as it cannot be expected that the transport could be 

 effected on board the exploring vessels, the co-operation of whalers 

 or European residents might be secured by holding out the pro- 

 spect of a fair pecuniary reward. 



9. Reindeer. — Obtain a series of skulls of adult animals, with 

 and without horns, and if possible one or two skeletons, the Green- 

 land Reindeer being considered to be a distinct variety. Any 

 differences in size and colour, and in the shape of the horns ob- 

 served in animals from different localities should be noted. 



10. Wahus. — Although perfect skins and skeletons of adult 

 individuals are great desiderata in our museums, they can be ac- 

 quired from whaling vessels ; and the naturalists of an exploring 

 expedition will be satisfied to preserve skulls of extraordinary size 

 or the exceptionally tuskless skulls of females, and particularly the 

 heads of newly -born or foetal animals, which are to be preserved in 



