[CC] The Otter is very fond of play; and one of their favourite pastimes is, to get on a high ridge of snow, bend their fore-feet backward, and slide down the side of it, sometimes to the distance of twenty yards.
[138] Lutreola vison lacustris (Preble, North Am. Fauna, No. 22, p. 66, 1902). This race differs from the typical race of Eastern Canada in its larger size and some minor cranial characters. It inhabits the region west of Hudson Bay, north to the limit of trees.
[139] Mustela pennanti Erxleben. As far as known, this fur-bearer reaches its northern limit on the coast of Hudson Bay near Cape Tatnam.
[CD] Mr. Graham asserts that this animal frequents the banks of creeks, and feeds on fish; but these are by no means their usual haunts. I have, however, no doubt, but when they find fish on the land, that they may eat it, like other carnivorous animals; but they are as shy of taking the water as a domestic cat. They climb trees, and catch partridges, mice, and rabbits, with as much ease as a martin. They are easily tamed and domesticated, are very fond of tea-leaves, have a pleasant musky smell, and are very playful.
[This statement is apparently from Pennant ("Arct. Zool.," i. p. 82, 1784), who gives Mr. Graham as authority.]
[140] The Skunk, Mephitis mephitis (Schreber), has not been detected on the coast of Hudson Bay north of Fort Albany, but farther westward it reaches Oxford House and Great Slave Lake. The animal of the Cumberland House region is the Northern Plains Skunk, Mephitis hudsonica Richardson.
[141] Mustela americana abieticola Preble. A much larger race than typical M. americana of Eastern Canada is the form inhabiting the country west of Hudson Bay.
[142] The common weasel of the wooded parts of the Hudson Bay region is Putorius richardsoni (Bonaparte). North of the tree-limit is found a larger species, P. arcticus Merriam, which ranges north of the continent over the Arctic islands. Both species turn white in winter and are then known as ermine.
[143] Fiber zibethicus hudsonius Preble (North Am. Fauna, No. 22, p. 53, 1902; type locality, Fort Churchill). This race, which differs from the typical animal of Eastern Canada in smaller size and in cranial characters, inhabits the region west of Hudson Bay, north to the limit of trees.
[144] Acorus calamus Linn. A widely diffused herb abundant in the southern part of the Hudson Bay region. The Crees are said to style it Wachusk mitsu-in, i.e. that which the musk-rats eat.