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Show 1868.] MR. R. BROWN ON THE MAMMALS OF GREENLAND. 339 say that it is limited to that division (for, as shown on the table, many extend through several of these divisions), nor that they are found over all that division or series of divisions or regions. I have already explained that the range of each is limited according to its habitat and habits. I have made these explanations because, as all rules are liable to exceptions, so are systems and systematic divisions. Nature abhors being confined between parallel lines. Under the division of " Nature of its Distribution in Greenland " I have divided them into (a) Introduced species, (ft) Migratory species, and (y) Species indigenous all the year round. (a) In Fabricius's day the following Mammals had been introduced into the country, but chiefly into South Greenland :-Canis familiaris (European breeds), Felis domestica, Ovis aries, Capra hircus, Bos taurus, Sus scrofa, Mus decumanus, and Mus musculus. All of these species are yet at times living in the country, but none of them can be said to be acclimatized. The Horse (Nersasoak) was once introduced into Greenland, but only remained for a short time. As far as I can discover, its importation was for the purpose of Major Oscean and Capt. Landorff, who in 1728 proposed the mad-cap scheme of " riding across Greenland !" (ft) As the winter approaches, most of the birds leave the country, and do not return again until spring. The terrestrial Mammals are prohibited, by the insularity of the country, from resorting to this method of escaping the rigours of the climate, or the scarcity of food. The Bear to some extent hybernates, though, as I shall afterwards show, this hybernation is not so complete as is usually supposed. The migratory Mammals are therefore limited to the marine species. All of the Seals, with the exception of Trichechus rosmarus, Callocephalus vitulinus, and Pagomys fcetidus, leave the coast during a portion of the winter, and even of the summer: the migration of the Seals is too complicated a subject to be discussed in a general review; under m y notes on each species I shall have occasion to recur to it. In like manner all the Cetacea leave the seas in the w inter, with the exception of Monodon monoceros and Beluga catodon, which can be seen at open places in the ice all the winter through. W h y these species should be winter denizens in preference to the others it is difficult to decide. Several species have what may be called a local migration, moving from one portion of the coast to another, north and south, during the summer, according to the state of the ice, &c,-all of which will be noticed in another place. (y) The species indigenous all the year round are therefore the terrestrial Mammals and the remainder of the marine species not already mentioned as migratory, viz. Ursus maritimus, Canis familiaris, var. borealis, Vulpes lagopus, Lepus glacialis, Myodes torquatus, (?) Ovibos moschatus, Rangifer tarandus, Trichechus rosmarus, Callocephalus vitulinus, Pagomys fcetidus, Monodon monoceros, and Beluga catodon. |