256 



THE ARCTIC PRAIRIES 



and to be days in passing a given point; but it is utterly- 

 erratic. It might arrive in early September. It was 

 not sure to arrive until late October, when the winter 

 had begun. This year all the indications were that it 

 would be late. If we were to wait for it, it would mean 

 going out on the ice. For this we were wholly unpre- 

 pared. There were no means of getting the necessary 

 dogs, sleds, and fur garments; my business was calling 

 me back to the East. It was useless to discuss the 

 matter, decision was forced on me. Therefore, without 

 having seen that great sight, one of the world's tremen- 

 dous zoological spectacles — ^the march in one body of 

 miUions of Caribou — I reluctantly gave the order to 

 start. On September 8 we launched the Ann Seton 

 on her homeward voyage of 1,200 upstream miles. 



Front left foot of caribou showing 

 position of backward and forward 

 etroke when swimming 



Food of groundsquirrels. Antlers 

 of Caribou 



