[153] Dicrostonyx richardsoni Merriam. This lemming, which is closely related to D. hudsonius of Labrador, was described from specimens taken at Fort Churchill, where it is abundant. Farther to the north it is represented by closely related forms whose ranges are among the most northerly of all land animals. Hearne's excellent account of this species has been confirmed in almost every particular by later observers.
[154] Odobænus rosmarus (Linn.). This animal was formerly abundant in Hudson Bay, but is now far from common, and is confined to the northern and north-eastern parts.
[155] Phoca vitulina Linn. is one of the commonest seals about the Bay, while the ringed seal, Phoca hispida Schreber, is perhaps equally abundant about its northern shores. The grey species mentioned is the bearded seal, Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben), which is abundant in most parts of Hudson Bay.
[156] The narwhal, Monodon monoceros Linn., is still a rare inhabitant of Hudson Strait and the extreme northern part of the Bay.
[CF] In the Fall of the year 1768, a fine rock cod was drove on shore in a high gale of wind, and was eaten at the Governor's table; Messrs. William Wales and Joseph Dymond, who went out to observe the transit of Venus which happened on the 3d of June 1769, partook of it; but I never heard of one being caught with a hook, nor ever saw an entire fish of that description in those parts: their jaw-bones are, however, frequently found on the shores.
[The common cod, Gadus callarius Linn., enters Hudson Strait, and is economically important in Ungava Bay. An occasional one is reported in Hudson Bay, but whether or not the fish is abundant there is not known.]
[157] Balæna mysticetus Linn. This species, the principal object of pursuit by the northern whalers, was originally fairly common in the northern part of Hudson Bay, but is now rare there.
[CG] I have heard that no Whale caught by our Greenland ships is called a Pay-fish; that is, that no emolument arises to the harpooner that strikes it; unless the longest blade of the bone, usually called Whale-bone, measures six feet; whereas those killed in Hudson's Bay seldom measured more than four feet and an half.
[158] Delphinapterus catodon (Linn.). This toothed whale is still common in nearly all parts of Hudson Bay, and considerable numbers are taken by means of nets at Fort Churchill. The oil is exported and the meat utilized for food for dogs.
[159] The "Salmon" here spoken of is evidently some form of the widely distributed Salvelinus alpinus (Linn.), several supposed forms of which have been described from different parts of Arctic North America. The ordinary method of taking it on the coast of Hudson Bay is by stretching a net between stakes at low tide at right angles to the shore. The net being immersed at high tide intercepts the fish, which apparently follow the line of the shore. When the tide falls the catch is of course easily retrieved.