“ The ears are so small as to be concealed by the hair, and the muffle is hairy as in sheep and goats. The flesh is coarse grained, but of variable quality, some individuals being tender and of good flavor, while others are tough and so musky as to be uneatable. ”

“ Musk oxen are gregarious, going in flocks of 20 or 30, or rarely as many as 80 or 100, and are said to be very sheep-like in their habits. Although the legs are so short, they run with speed, and can climb steep slopes and clamber over rocks with remarkable agility. The young are produced, one at a time, at the end of May or early in June, and the rutting season is in September. The food of the musk ox is grass, moss, lichens, and tender shoots of willow and pine. ”

“ The hoofs are remarkable in being asymmetrical, the outer half being rounded while the inner is pointed; the sole of the foot is hairy. The head is inclined to be massive, especially in old males, where the horns have extremely broad bases. ”