March, 1919 
FOREST AND STREAM 
121 
taken in Alaska by the father of the man who owned 
it and who sold it to Dr. Anderson. 
Mr. Stefansson is reported to have declared that 
the musk-ox is easily handled, that it can be driven 
by men on foot, and he believes that it would be prac- 
ticable to round up a herd of musk-oxen in the Barren 
Grounds and slowly and quietly drive them westward 
to a permanent range in Alaska. 
It is understood that one of the large owners of 
reindeer in Alaska purposes to try to arrange with 
the Canadian Government to exchange a large num- 
ber of reindeer for a much smaller number of wild 
musk-oxen. Reindeer in Alaska have thriven won- . 
derfully well and have greatly increased in numbers. 
There is no evident reason why they should not do 
as well to the east of the boundary lines as they 
have to the west, and if they do flourish in Canada 
they will provide to the people of that far northern 
country a domestic food animal of great value. So 
too if the musk-ox can be taken into Alaska and held 
there under domestication there is good reason to 
think that it will do well, will increase in numbers 
and will add to the resources of northern Alaska an 
important item of subsistence and a valuable fur. 
The matter is one of great interest. While there 
is perhaps no reason to suppose that the musk-ox 
in British America is likely immediately to become 
extinct, it is still true that its range is constantly 
contracting. It is an unsuspicious animal and easily 
killed ; and, notwithstanding the* effort made by the 
Canadian Government to protect it, its future is still 
uncertain. The experiment of domesticating it sug- 
gests great possibilities. * 
WILD ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA 
'T'HE National Geographic Society has compiled in 
^ book form two very interesting and authoritative 
articles that appeared in separate numbers of the 
National Geographic Magazine concerning the 
mammals of North America. Mr. Edward W. Nel- 
son, chief of the United States Biological Survey, 
has written introductory articles on both the larger 
and smaller mammals and a concise and accurate 
account of the habits and life histories of each 
species. Mr. Nelson is eminently fitted for the writ- 
ing of just such a work as he has spent a life-time 
in close study both in the field and in the laboratory 
j and is thoroughly conversant with his subject. The 
text is supplemented by 64 pages of illustrations in 
I color from original paintings by that inimitable 
artist-naturalist, Louis Agassiz Fuertes, which in 
' itself lends distinction and credit to the work. It 
also contains numerous track sketches by Ernest 
I Thompson Seton, which are invaluable to the close 
I student of animal life. The whole makes a very 
impoi'tant book of reference and one that essentially 
belongs in the library of every sportsman and lover 
of wild life. It is available only through the offices 
of the National Geographic Society, Washington, 
D. C. We take great pleasure in bringing this 
book to the attention of our readers and heartily 
congratulate the National Geographic Society on the 
manner in which it has treated such an important 
subject. It is in line with the high standard of 
work produced by that society which has added so 
greatly to the increase and diffusion of geographic 
I knowledge throughout the world — treating the most 
comprehensive subjects in a manner that even a 
child can understand and with a charm and accuracy 
that stimulates the interest of the deepest student. 
ON BEHALF OF THE DOG 
"V^HEN hostilities ceased some 18,000 dogs were 
^ on the western front, fighting to make the 
world unsafe for dachshunds. 
The Dog Owners’ Association of England, there- 
fore, says the Thrift Magazine, is planning to have 
diplomas awarded to dogs that distinguished them- 
selves as good soldiers during the war. 
This is a movement worthy of commendation for 
there are many things to be said in behalf of the 
dog. He is brave, honest and loyal. He is never 
a coward, a cheater or a liar. Even in the height 
of flea season he is a consistent optimist, not only 
looking on the bright side of life at all times, but 
possessing a happy sense of humor. 
He can grin, smile or laugh. He is a good fellow. 
He knows how to take a joke. You can hit him 
with your fist hard enough to jar his back teeth 
loose, and if you do it with a smile he will respond 
by laughing heartily with his tail. 
The dog is a real gentleman because he is equally 
at home in any company. It does not embarrass 
him even when thrown in the presence of persons 
he has never met before in a social way. With equal 
adaptability, he can romp with the children, go 
hunting with the big boys, or sit quietly at home 
with the old folks and help them mediate in their 
lonely hours. 
If bom in poverty and obscurity he will never 
desert those he loves and cherishes for gayer scenes 
or the blandishments of more affluent associates. 
Even the blind and helpless beggar, shivering on a 
windswept corner, knows his dog would not forsake 
him if all the millionaires in the world went parad- 
ing by with their arms fairly loaded with dog bis- 
cuits, raw bones and alley cats. 
It is pleasing to learn that the soldier dog is going 
to get a diploma. He will accept it with modesty 
and gratitude depicted in every wag of his tail. 
THE HILLS 
"T'HE hills have the power of ruling the mind. They 
have influenced men and civilizations from gen- 
eration to generation. They effect the thought; 
overawing us with power and appealing to our rev- 
erence. The higher we climb the everlasting hills, 
breathing their bracing air and enjoying the pan- 
orama of beauty beneath and beyond, the younger 
and stronger we feel, and the nearer to God and to 
heaven. There is that message in the mountain 
gloom and mountain glory which controls the spirit 
that comes under its influence. 
It will not be long now ere we bid farewell to the 
office, the shop, or the study. The time of exodus 
is approaching. The call of the hills cannot be de- 
nied. They call, and we must away! There is an 
affinity between souls and hills. They represent 
heights we ought to attain for man was made for 
the highlands. 
The hills call unto us to look away from all those 
things which oppress and blind us, and as we lift 
up our eyes to their purple summits, their beauty 
and brooding strength suggest a power and a peace, 
without which, life is as barren as the ribs of death. 
The hills carry us to the clouds; the clouds to the 
azure spaces of the skies; and the skies beyond to 
the stars, until our vision climbs the altar-stairs 
which, 
“Slope through darkness up to God.” 
