238 FOREST LANDS OF NORTHERN RUSSIA. 
and February, at which time the snow is in a favourable 
condition for snow-shoes being used, without which the 
hunter might sink deep in the snow, and would be power- 
less in following up a bear. ‘ 
‘The snow shoes are about seven feet long and six inches 
broad, slightly curved at the point, with a foot piece in 
the middle, to which are attached thongs or straps for 
securing the snow-shoe to the foot. Some of them are 
covered underneath with the skin of the reindeer, which 
is of great assistance to the hunter in ascending hills. In 
the absence of this undercovering of skin, the hunter pro- 
vides himself with a pole about eight feet in length, with 
a curved point of horn or bone, with which he guides 
himself in descending, or prevents his feet from slipping 
backwards in ascending, any rising ground,’ 
In Nova Zembla the Polar bear is met with, and in 
Northern Russia the glutton or wolverine, which is nearly 
allied to the Ursus Arctos. It is known as the Tazus 
gulo, and as Gulo Arcticos, It is apparently the Ursus 
tuscus of Linneus. 
The glutton, or wolverine, owes its popular name to its 
extreme voracity; but it is not less characterised by its 
strength, fierceness, and cunning. It dces not hesitate to 
dispute their prey with the wolf and the bear, and it 
baffles frequently the stratagem of the hunter. It is slow 
and somewhat unwieldy in its movements, but it is deter- 
mined and persevering, and will proceed at a steady pace 
for miles in search of prey, stealing unawares upon hares, 
marmots, and birds; and surprising even the larger quad- 
rupeds, such as the elk and the reindeer, when asleep. 
All of the other families of the carnivora, the Felidae 
or cat tribe, the Canidae or dog tribe, and the Mustilidae 
or weasel tribe, have their representatives here. 
One representative of the Mustilidae is the ermine, and 
another is the sable. The mention of these suggests also 
the fact that there are squirrels of different species; and 
