MUSK. OX, 
311 
Musk ox. 
This animal, which is only mentioned by Buf- 
fon as having a strong smell of musk, and as being, 
on account of that quality, distinguished by most 
travellers under the name of musk ox, is consider- 
ed by Mr. Pennant, with sufficient propriety, it 
would appear, as a separate species. 
The horns of the musk ox seem almost to join 
at the base ; as they rise, they bend inwards and 
downwards for a great part of their length ; 
but near their termination, turn outwards. Near 
the base, the horn measures two feet round : it 
tapers towards its extremity, and is sharp at the 
point. Measured along the curvature, its length 
is only two feet. The head and body of this ani- 
mal are covered all over with dark red silky hairs, 
which are so long as to trail on the ground, and 
hide the proportions of its shape. Its shoulders 
rise in a lump ; and its legs and tail are very 
short ; it is not so tall as a deer ; but its body is 
more bulky. 
The following more accurate description of a 
cow of this species we borrow from Mr. Pennant, 
who formed it from a complete skin, which he was 
lucky enough to obtain : the nostrils are long and 
open ; the two middle cutting teeth broad and sharp-* 
edged ; the three on each side of these small and 
truncated. The lips are covered with short white 
hairs on the fore part, and with pale brown hairs 
on the sides. The hair extending down the middle 
of the forehead is long and erect ; that on the 
cheeks and the throat long and pendulous, so as to 
form a long beard. On the neck, the sides, and 
the rump, the hair depends in the same manner, 
and reaches nearly to the ground. Between the 
■binder part of the head and the shoulders there 
