s 



OF THE POLAR SEA. 225 



more unsightly than the cow. The most 

 esteemed part of the animal is the hump, 

 called by the Canadians bos 9 by the Hud- 

 son's Bay people the wig ; it is merely a 

 strong muscle, on which nature at certain 

 seasons forms a considerable quantity of fat. 

 It is attached to the long spinous processes 

 of the first dorsal vertebrae, and seems to 

 be destined to support the enormous head 

 of the animal. The meat which covers the 

 spinal processes themselves, after the wig 

 is removed, is next in esteem for its flavour 

 and juiciness, and is more exclusively 

 termed the hump by the hunters. 



The party was prevented from visiting a 

 Stone Indian encampment by a heavy fall 

 of snow, which made it impracticable to go 

 and return the same day. We were dis- 

 suaded from sleeping at their tents by the 

 interpreter at the N.W. post, who told us 

 they considered the hooping-cough and 

 measles, under which they were now suf- 

 fering, to have been introduced by some 

 white people recently arrived in the coun- 

 try, and that he feared those who had lost 



VOL. I. Q 



