attention so much as the animal creation; which is the less to be
wondered at, as so few of them are useful for the support of man. Yet I
will endeavour to enumerate as many of them as I think are worth notice.
[Sidenote: Gooseberries.]
The GOOSEBERRIES[228] thrive best in stony and rocky ground, which lies
open and much exposed to the Sun. But in those situations few of the
bushes grow to any height, and spread along the ground like vines. The
fruit is always most plentiful and the finest on the under-side of the
branches, probably owing to the reflected heat from the stones and
gravel, and from being sheltered from all cold winds and fog by the
leaves. I never saw more than one species of Gooseberry in any part of
Hudson's Bay, which is the red one. When green, they make excellent pies
or tarts; and when ripe are very pleasant eating, though by no means so
large as those produced in England.
[Sidenote: Cranberries.]
CRANBERRIES[229] grow in great abundance near Churchill, and are not
confined to any particular situation, for they {450} are as common on
open bleak plains and high rocks as among the woods. When carefully
gathered in the Fall, in dry weather, and as carefully packed in casks
with moist sugar, they will keep for years, and are annually sent to
England in considerable quantities as presents, where they are much
esteemed. When the ships have remained in the Bay so late that the
Cranberries are ripe, some of the Captains have carried them home in
water with great success.
[Sidenote: Heathberries.]
The HEATHBERRIES[230] are in some years so plentiful near Churchill,
that it is impossible to walk in many places without treading on
thousands and millions of them. They grow close to the ground, and are a
favourite repast of many birds that migrate to those parts in Summer,
particularly the Grey Goose; on which account the Indians distinguish
them by the name of Nishca-minnick, or the Grey Gooseberry. The juice of
this berry makes an exceeding pleasant beverage, and the fruit itself
would be more pleasing were it not for the number of small seeds it
contains.
[Sidenote: Bethago-tominick.]
BETHAGO-TOMINICK,[231] as it is called by the Indians, or the
Dewater-berry of Mr. Dragge. I have seen this berry as far North as
Marble Island, and that in great abundance. It flourishes best, and is
most productive, in swampy boggy ground covered with moss, and is seldom
found {451} among grass. The plant itself is not very unlike that of a
Strawberry, but the leaves are larger. Out of the center of the plant
shoots a single stalk, sometimes to the height of seven or eight inches,
and each plant only produces one berry, which at some distance resembles
a Strawberry; but on examination they have not that conical form; and
many of them are only composed of three or four lobes, while others
consist of nearly twenty. The flavour of this berry is far from
unpleasing, and it is eaten by our people in considerable quantities
during the season, (which is August,) and, like all the other fruits in
those parts, is supposed to be wholesome, and a great antiscorbutic.
[Sidenote: Currans.]
CURRANS,[232] both red and black, are common about Churchill River, but
the latter are far more plentiful than the former, and are very large
and fine. The bushes on which those currans grow, frequently exceed
three feet in height, and generally thrive best in those parts that are
moist but not swampy. Small vallies between the rocks, at some little
distance from the woods, are very favourable to them; and I have
frequently observed that the fruit produced in those situations is
larger and finer than that which is found in the woods. Those berries
have a very great effect on some people if eaten in any considerable
quantities, by acting as a very powerful purgative, and in some as an
emetic at the same {452} time; but if mixed with Cranberries, they never
have that effect.
[Sidenote: Juniper-berries.]
JUNIPER-BERRIES[233] are frequently found near the new settlement at
Churchill River, but by no means in such plenty as in the more Southern
and interior parts of the country. The bush they grew on is so similar
to the creeping pine, that one half of the Company's servants residing
in Hudson's Bay do not know one from the other. Like the Gooseberry
bushes in those parts, the fruit is always most plentiful on the under
side of the branches. They are not much esteemed either by the Indians
or English, so that the few that are made use of are generally infused
in brandy, by way of making a cordial, which is far from unpleasant.[CP]
[Sidenote: Strawberries.]
STRAWBERRIES,[CQ][234] and those of a considerable size and excellent
flavour, are found as far North as Churchill River; and what is most
remarkable, they are frequently known to be more plentiful in such
places as have formerly been set on fire. This is not peculiar to the
Strawberry, but it is well known that in the interior parts of the
country, as well as at Albany and Moose Forts, that after {453} the
ground, or more properly the under-wood and moss, have been set on fire,
that Raspberry-bushes and Hips have shot up in great numbers on spots
where nothing of the kind had ever been seen before. This is a
phænomenon that is not easily accounted for; but it is more than
probable that Nature wanted some assistance, and the moss being all
burnt away, not only admits the sun to act with more power, but the heat
of the fire must, in some measure, loosen the texture of the soil, so as
to admit the plants to shoot up, after having been deep-rooted for many
years without being able to force their way to the surface.
Besides the Berries already mentioned, there are three others found as
far North as Churchill; namely, what the Indians call the Eye-berry, and
the other two are termed Blue-berry and Partridge-berry by the English.
[Sidenote: Eye-berry.]
The EYE-BERRY[235] grows much in the same manner as the Strawberry, and
though smaller, is infinitely superior in flavour. This berry is found
in various situations; but near Churchill River they are most plentiful
in small hollows among the rocks, which are situated some distance from
the woods; but they are never known to grow in swampy ground, and I
never saw them so plentiful in any part of Hudson's Bay as about
Churchill River.
[Sidenote: Blue-berry.]
{454} The BLUE-BERRY[236] is about the size of a Hurtle-berry, and grows
on bushes which rise to eighteen inches or two feet, but in general are
much lower. They are seldom ripe till September, at which time the
leaves turn to a beautiful red; and the fruit, though small, have as
fine a bloom as any plum, and are much esteemed for the pleasantness of
their flavour.
[Sidenote: Partridge-berry.]
The PARTRIDGE-BERRY[237] is nearly as large as the Cranberry imported
from Newfoundland, and though of a beautiful transparent red, yet has a
disagreeable taste. These berries are seldom taken, either by the
Indians or English; and many of the latter call them Poison-berries, but
several birds are fond of them. They grow close to the ground, like the
Cranberry, and the plant that produces them is not very unlike small
sage, either in shape or colour, but has none of its virtues.
I had nearly forgotten another species of Berry,[238] which is found on
the dry ridges at Churchill in considerable numbers. In size and colour
they much resemble the Red Curran, and grow on bushes so much like the
Creeping Willow, that people of little observation scarcely know the
difference; particularly as all the fruit is on the under-side of the
branches, and entirely hid by the leaves. I never knew this Berry eaten
but by a frolicksome Indian girl; and as it had no ill effect, it is a
proof it is {455} not unwholesome, though exceedingly unpleasant to the
palate, and not much less so to the smell.
[Sidenote: Hips.]
HIPS[239] of a small size, though but few in number, are also found on
the banks of Churchill River, at some distance from the sea. But in the
interior parts of the country they are frequently found in such vast
quantities, that at a distance they make the spots they grow on appear
perfectly red. In the interior parts of Hudson's Bay they are as large
as any I ever remember to have seen, and when ripe, have a most
delightful bloom; but at that season there is scarcely one in ten which
has not a worm in it; and they frequently act as a strong purgative.
With respect to the smaller productions of the vegetable world, I am
obliged to be in a great measure silent, as the nature of my various
occupations during my residence in this country gave me little leisure,
and being unacquainted with botany, I viewed with inattention things
that were not of immediate use: the few which follow are all that
particularly engaged my attention.
[Sidenote: Wish-a-ca-pucca.]
The WISH-A-CA-PUCCA,[240] which grows in most parts of this country, is
said by some Authors to have great medical virtues, applied, either
inwardly as an alterative, or outwardly dried and pulverised, to old
sores and gangrenes. The truth of this I much doubt, and could {456}
never think it had the least medical quality. It is, however, much used
by the lower class of the Company's servants as tea; and by some is
thought very pleasant. But the flower is by far the most delicate, and
if gathered at a proper time, and carefully dried in the shade, will
retain its flavour for many years, and make a far more pleasant beverage
than the leaves. There are several species of this plant, of which some
of the leaves are nearly as large as that of the Creeping Willow, while
others are as small and narrow as that of the Rosemary, and much
resembles it in colour; but all the species have the same smell and
flavour.
[Sidenote: Jackashey-puck.]
JACKASHEY-PUCK.[241] This herb much resembles Creeping Box; and is only
used, either by the Indians or English, to mix with tobacco, which makes
it smoke mild and pleasant; and would, I am persuaded, be very
acceptable to many smokers in England.
[Sidenote: Moss.]
MOSS of various sorts and colours is plentiful enough in most parts of
this country, and is what the deer usually feed on.
[Sidenote: Grass.]
GRASS of several kinds is also found in those parts, and some of it
amazingly rapid of growth, particularly that which is there called
Rye-grass, and which, in our short Summer at Churchill, frequently grows
to the height {457} of three feet. Another species of Grass, which is
produced in marshes, and on the margins of lakes, ponds, and rivers, is
particularly adapted for the support of the multitudes of the feathered
creation which resort to those parts in Summer. The Marsh Grass at
Churchill is of that peculiar nature, that where it is mowed one year,
no crop can be procured the next Summer; whereas at York Fort, though
the climate is not very different, they can get two crops, or harvests,
from the same spot in one Summer. Vetches are plentiful in some parts as
far North as Churchill River; and Burrage, Sorrel, and Coltsfoot, may be
ranked among the useful plants. Dandelion is also plentiful at
Churchill, and makes an early salad, long before any thing can be
produced in the gardens.
In fact, notwithstanding the length of the Winter, the severity of the
cold, and the great scarcity of vegetables at this Northern settlement,
by proper attention to cleanliness, and keeping the people at reasonable
exercise, I never had one man under me who had the least symptoms of the
scurvy; whereas at York Fort, Albany, and Moose River, there were almost
annual complaints that one half of the people were rendered incapable of
duty by that dreadful disorder.
I do not wish to lay claim to any merit on this occasion, but I cannot
help observing that, during ten years I had {458} the command at
Churchill River, only two men died of that distemper, though my
complement at times amounted in number to fifty-three.
[Sidenote: Trees.]
The Forest Trees that grow on this inhospitable spot are very few
indeed; Pine,[242] Juniper,[243] small scraggy Poplar,[244] Creeping
Birch,[245] and Dwarf Willows,[246] compose the whole catalogue. Farther
Westward the Birch Tree[247] is very plentiful; and in the Athapuscow
country, the Pines, Larch, Poplar, and Birch, grow to a great size; the
Alder[248] is also found there.
FOOTNOTES:
[124] The notes to this chapter within brackets are by Mr. Edward A.
Preble of the United States Biological Survey.
[125] See pages 255, 164, 235, and 254.
[126] This is the so-called elk or wapiti, _Cervus canadensis_ Erx.,
formerly abundant from the west side of Lake Winnipeg north-westward to
the Peace River region.
[127] The wolves of the wooded country belong to the species to which
the name _Canis occidentalis_ of Richardson seems applicable; those of
the Barren Grounds, which are frequently white, may be considered as
subspecifically separable under the name _Canis o. albus_ Sabine (type
locality, Fort Enterprise, North-West Territory).
[128] _Vulpes lagopus innuitus_ Merriam. This name is applicable to the
Arctic foxes of the American mainland. They are larger than and differ
in cranial characters from the typical animal of Lapland.
[129] See Pennant, "Arct. Zool.," i. p. 43, 1784, where this statement
is credited to Mr. Graham. While Hearne is probably right about the
foxes appearing every season, yet at intervals of a few years there is
an incursion of more than ordinary numbers, and on these occasions the
species reaches farther south than usual.
[130] The Canada Lynx, _Lynx canadensis_ Kerr, is of general
distribution throughout the wooded country, and occasionally in summer
extends its wanderings for a short distance into the Barren Grounds.
[131] _Thalarctos maritimus_ (Phipps). This species, of circumpolar
distribution, keeps closely to the sea-coasts, and reaches the southern
extremity of Hudson Bay, probably the most southern point of its present
distribution.
[BY] It is rather singular that the Polar Bears are seldom found on the
land during the Winter, on which account it is supposed they go out on
the ice, and keep near the edge of the water during that season, while
the females that are pregnant seek shelter at the skirts of the woods,
and dig themselves dens in the deepest drifts of snow they can find,
where they remain in a state of inactivity, and without food, from the
latter end of December or January, till the latter end of March; at
which time they leave their dens, and bend their course towards the sea
with their cubs; which, in general, are two in number. Notwithstanding
the great magnitude of those animals when full grown, yet their young
are not larger than rabbits, and when they leave their dens, in March, I
have frequently seen them not larger than a white fox, and their steps
on the snow not bigger than a crown-piece, when those of their dam
measure near fifteen inches long and nine inches broad. They propagate
when young, or at least before they are half-grown; for I have killed
young females not larger than a London calf, with milk in their teats;
whereas some of the full grown ones are heavier than the largest of our
common oxen. Indeed I was once at the killing of one, when one of its
hind feet being cut off at the ankle, weighed fifty-four pounds. The
males have a bone in their _penis_, as a dog has, and of course unite in
copulation; but the time of their courtship is, I believe, not exactly
known: probably it may be in July or August, for at those times I have
often been at the killing of them, when the males were so attached to
their mistresses, that after the female was killed, the male would put
his two fore-paws over, and suffer himself to be shot before he would
quit her. I have frequently seen and killed those animals near twelve
leagues from the land; but as the Fall of the year advances, they are
taught by instinct to seek the shore. Though such a tremendous animal,
they are very shy of coming near a man; but when closely pursued in the
water, they frequently attack the boat, seize the oars, and wrest them
from the hands of the strongest man, seeming desirous to get on board;
but the people on those occasions are always provided with fire-arms and
hatchets, to prevent such an unwelcome visit. The flesh of this animal,
when killed in Winter, (if not too old,) is far from being unpleasant
eating; and the young cubs, in the Spring, are rather delicate than
otherwise. The teats of the female are only two in number, and are
placed between the fore-legs. The best Drawing of this Animal I have
seen, is that done by Mr. Webber, among the Plates of Cook's last
Voyage.
[132] _Ursus americanus_ Pallas. This species inhabits all the region
west of Hudson Bay nearly or quite to the limit of trees, though it is
rare near the border of the woods.
[BZ] The insects here spoken of are of two kinds; the one is nearly
black, its skin hard like a beetle, and not very unlike a grasshopper,
and darts through the water with great ease, and with some degree of
velocity. The other sort is brown, has wings, and is as soft as the
common cleg-fly. The latter are the most numerous; and in some of the
lakes such quantities of them are forced into the bays in gales of wind,
and there pressed together in such multitudes, that they are killed, and
remain there a great nuisance; for I have several times, in my inland
voyages from York Fort, found it scarcely possible to land in some of
those bays for the intolerable stench of those insects, which in some
places were lying in putrid masses to the depth of two or three feet. It
is more than probable, that the Bears occasionally feed on these dead
insects.
[133] The insects here referred to are mainly May-flies (Ephemeridæ),
which are washed up along the shores of the lakes in this region in
incredible quantities, and are eaten by the bears, as Hearne says.
[CA] It is common for the Southern Indians to tame and domesticate the
young cubs; and they are frequently taken so young that they cannot eat.
On those occasions the Indians oblige their wives who have milk in their
breasts to suckle them. And one of the Company's servants, whose name is
Isaac Batt, willing to be as great a brute as his Indian companions,
absolutely forced one of his wives, who had recently lost her infant, to
suckle a young Bear.
[134] By brown bears, Hearne probably refers to the brown or cinnamon
phase of the black bear. This colour phase, which is often spoken of as
if constituting a distinct species, is rare near the northern border of
the range of the animal.
[135] _Ursus richardsoni_ Swainson. See _ante_, p. 181.
[136] _Gulo luscus_ (Linn.). This powerful freebooter ranges north to
the extremity of the continent, and has been detected in a few instances
on the islands of the Arctic Sea.
[CB] Mr. Graham says they take their lodging in the clefts of rocks, or
in hollow trees. The former I acknowledge, but I believe that neither
Mr. Graham nor any of the Company's servants ever saw an instance of the
latter. In fact, during all my travels in the interior parts of Hudson's
Bay, I never saw a hollow tree that was capable of affording shelter to
any larger animal than martins, jackashes, or wejacks; much less the
quiquehatch or Bear, as some have asserted.
[This statement is from Pennant, "Arct. Zool.," i. p. 68, 1784, and
given on the authority of Mr. Graham.]
[137] _Lutra canadensis_ (Schreber). This valuable fur-bearer is found
throughout the wooded country, but is rare near the borders of the
forest.
[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.
[145] _Erethizon dorsatum_ (Linn.). In Hearne's time the porcupine was
rather common throughout the southern part of the Hudson Bay region, and
ranged nearly or quite to the limit of trees. Hearne's journey to the
Coppermine River was mainly through the Barren Grounds, or near the edge
of the timber, where of course the animal was scarce, which accounts for
the small number seen by him.
Now, throughout the region, constant persecution has reduced this
species almost to the verge of extinction, so that a person may travel
hundreds of miles through its range without encountering one.
[146] "Arctic Zool.," i. p. 110, 1784.
[CE] This information was given to Mr. Pennant from the authority of Mr.
Graham; but the before-mentioned account of seeing them killed in all
stages of pregnancy, when no symptoms of that kind appeared, will, I
hope, be sufficient to clear up that mistake.
[147] By foxes of various colours, Hearne refers to the different
colour-phases of the red fox, _Vulpes fulvus_ (Desmarest). These are the
cross-fox, in which there is a darkening of the colour, and a more or
less plainly marked cross indicated on the back; the silver, in which
the red tinge is nearly or wholly lost, the general colour being black,
with many of the hairs showing a white subterminal zone; and the black,
in which the white is absent, or very nearly so. In all these phases,
now generally admitted to be varying degrees of melanism, the tip of the
tail is white, as in the normal red phase. A perfect black fox is one of
the most valuable furs known.
[148] _Lepus arcticus canus_ Preble. Arctic hares are still found
regularly as far south as Fort Churchill, and in winter reach still
farther south, while to the north-west they occupy suitable localities
throughout the Barren Grounds.
[149] _Lepus americanus_ (Erxleben), based mainly on specimens from
Churchill River and Severn River, which last place may be considered the
type locality.
[150] _Sciurus hudsonicus_ Erxleben. Common throughout the Hudson Bay
region north to the tree-limit. The name was based on specimens from
Hudson Bay, probably from the west coast, although no definite type
locality has been assigned.