Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1912-04-05

lean bison. The coat of the muskox is dark UNI
Der in color, and in places even black but that
Of the leg and saddle" however is SO much
lighter to appear in contrast with the rest
Of Its fur almost buff. The hair of the name
and back is decidedly woolly but the rest Of it's
coat falls in thick folds of hair sometimes almost
completely obscuring its legs, and reaching to the
ground. So heavy is this coat that the ears and
TALL and often the base of the horns are COM
pletely hidden by it. Beneath this harlike coat
Is one of wool, somewhat of light chocolate
color. The greater development of the fore quar-
ters particularly in the bull is so marked that
when one of these fully grown beasts advances
towards the hunter, it may readily be mistaken
lor two animals walking in close proximity The
mdsKox is quite short limbed, massive and stubby
n ould, and in the spring the grotesqueness of
IT'S appearance is more greatly enhanced by the
masses of wool that cling to the hair. and which
II is at that time shedding
one OF the characteristic features Of this ami
nla is the development of its horns. In the ma
tured animal these joined to the skull on top
ana almost at the rear. They are wide and
peculiarly rough at the base, the uneven rough
ness gradually forming regular uniform ridges
where the horns curve in towards the skull,
Anaiy assuming an almost polished smoothness
as they taper to point and turn upward. If
Inc were drawn from the point Of one horn to
mat OF the other, 1t would be found to pass just
oeiore the eyes. The horns are generally about
80 lhches IN length but there are many cases
"neTe they have measured as much as o. Those
Tue Dull are much more heavy and massive
Ian those of the COW and are almost joined at
e vase The horns are yeowish white in
tI Uof with the exception of the tips which are
D,acK The hoofs of the muskox are quite small
"Nen compared with those of the caribou rela-
~ .eV considering the weights of the animals
lucy are admirably adapted to assist the animal
- crossing icy surfaces, having considerable
ss1"th OF hair between the hoofs which undoubt-
uy mas the same function as that on the under
'arl OF the paw of the polar bear
curing the long Arctic winter the muskox
0ns at large over the snow-covered barren
"dstes that it inhabits, frequenting those parts
"efe II can best obtain the few lichens and
9Ianty MOSES that form its sustenance and
nAieh 1t RECEIVERS by removing the great depth of
uoT with It's hoofs. At this time of the year the
-1sAoxen assemble in herds much that they
~-eut huddle together for protection during the
Dilzzards and better to repel the attacks of
- then almost starving Arctic wolves prac-
4s@ly their sole enemy, from which by this and
o"et tactics they are able to ward off the attacks
!. Hlid beasts AS the case with the Amer
Cao bison and the buffalo wolf the young and
b-eAperlenced the aged outcast and the diseased
~ 0'eF' ran an easy prey to the hungry lurkers
-Le muskox runs swiftly but can maintain a
44,op Tor but short time when, turning about
.aGes Its pursuer forming into long line If
.1~0Aeo from but one point and into a circle If
,oH1 several With glaripg eyes and paving
us II awaits The approach of the intruder when
,fhpaFently having sufficiently recuperated from
- e&ertion. 1t again gallons of, only to make
.-oener stand farther on. But an ordinary man
- soon exhaust them by repeatedly putting
tn 10 flight However the muskox does not
,~ays ny at the approach of man, and in mute
IIilAiuity, whole herd win stand in line and
80" themselves to be shot down BIZ single
"Ff who win have no difficulty in securing