Until 1898 O. moschatus was the only existing type known to either hunters or scientists. In that year, however, Lieutenant Peary, the Arctic explorer, killed in Bache Peninsula, Greenland, a series of specimens which, on being sent to the Museum of Natural History of New York, were decided by Professor J. A. Allen as having sufficient distinction to warrant classification. Meantime Rowland Ward, the London taxidermist, had secured, by purchase, a couple of similar specimens from East Greenland which Professor Lydekker recognized as a new variety, and in honor of Mr. Ward named O. moschatus wardi. Mr. Ward’s specimens were secured from whalers who, in turn, got them from trading with natives in East Greenland. Lieutenant Peary’s specimens, however, were collected on the ground by himself, and he is certainly entitled to the honor of the new variety bearing his name. So Professor Allen rightly thinks, and though he has adopted Professor Lydekker’s name, he reserves O. pearyi (Allen) as a provisionary one which may be accepted for the Grinnell Land animal in case it should prove to be separable. This, however, does not appear likely. The most distinguishing difference between the O. wardi, as called, or O. pearyi, as it should be known, and the O. moschatus, is in the head. The entire front of the new variety head is more or less gray instead of wholly brown, as is the O. moschatus; while the horn base of the new variety is much narrower and slightly different in shape from those of the old variety. The skulls of the two varieties are practically alike; at least there is very slight difference. The general color of the fur of the new variety is a little lighter, and the animal itself is not so large or heavily built.
SKULL OF THE EAST GREENLAND MUSK-OX—(Ovibos Wardi)
SKULL OF THE BARREN GROUND MUSK-OX—(Ovibos moschatus)
SIDE VIEW—(Ovibos Wardi)
