3378 Fauna of Western Eskimaux-land. 



known to drag an entire deer to its den. The natives never openly 

 face it, but always resort to stratagem. It preys upon any animal that 

 may fall in its way, indiscriminately making a meal from the reindeer 

 or the mouse. Its skin is highly prized, and holds the first rank in 

 Eskimaux currency. 



The marten (Mustela Martes) appears to be an intermediate spe- 

 cies between the sable of the Old and the marten of the New World ; 

 it partakes of the dark colour of the former, and thick soft fur of the 

 latter, while the fur on the under part of the foot is a character com- 

 mon to both species. It does not extend its peregrinations beyond 

 the limit of the woods; on the contrary, it appears to increase in size 

 and number as it recedes from that boundary. The peninsula to the 

 southward of Kotzebue's Sound abounds in it; and still further south, 

 inland from Norton Sound, nearly all the natives have outer coats of 

 its fur, which however are not considered so valuable as those of deer- 

 skin. Of several hundred skins that I have seen, the colour was never 

 entirely black. 



The ermine [Mustela Erminea) also is common, and inhabits the 

 banks of rivers. During the winter it possesses, like the Arctic hare, 

 a white skin, with a black-tipped tail. It is occasionally trapped, 

 though from the number required for a single dress, it is not often 

 molested, and its skin, as an article of exchange, is considered of tri- 

 fling value. 



The otter (Lutra Canadensis) is highly prized and much sought 

 after. Its skin is used as trimmings for dress, and bartered at a high 

 price with the Russian traders. 



The fox [Canis vulgaris) is of a bright red colour, and is princi- 

 pally found about the coast, where it obtains plenty of food through- 

 out the year, by preying on the ptarmigan and hares. The Russians 

 give a good price for the skin. 



The white fox {Canis lagopus) so common on the Asiatic shores, is 

 rarely seen. 



Wolves are seldom seen alone, generally running down their prey 

 in packs. They do not hesitate, if pressed by hunger, to attack a sin- 

 gle individual, although, if two or three people are together, they are 

 easily scared. Scarcely a winter passes without some of the natives 

 being destroyed ; this, their own assertions, and my personal know- 

 ledge, sufficiently testify. It is always necessary to be on the alert. 

 I remember that it once fell to my lot to cook for the party to which 

 I was attached ; and, having prepared some venison steaks for my 

 companions, I fell asleep. Some wolves, however, had been in the 



