Aynencan Elk dotiuiftkated. 93 



return for the horfe — a creature for which America is in- 

 indebted to Europe. 



" No attempts/' fiiys Mr. Livingfron (Part III. of the 

 Tranfa^tions of the New- York Society)^ '^ have been made 

 to render thefe noble animals ufeful. Content with facri- 

 flcing them to our hunger^ we have never thought of draw- 

 ing, from their activity and ftrcngth, the aids which they 

 might afford us by their labour. The elk is larger than the 

 rein-deer, and, when taken young, as domeflic as the ox, as 

 I find from having three that run with my cattle, and appear 

 as much attached to them as to their own fpecies. I have 

 lately attcmptjed to break two of them to the harnefs, and am 

 much encouraged by my firfl eflay. They have been but 

 twice bitted, and appear to me to be quite as docile as colts 

 would be at their age. They apply their whole itrength to 

 the draught, and go on a fteadypace. Their mouths appear 

 to be very tender, and fome care is neceflary to prevent their 

 being injured by the bit. Mine are about two years old, and 

 are not lefs than thirteen hands high : their thighs are as 

 mufcular as thofc of the horfe. In their native woods the 

 males grow to about fifteeh hands, as far as I can collect 

 from the information of hunters. It is probable, however, 

 that in a fiate of domcfticity they would grow much larger, 

 as all graminivorous animals are pinched for food in our cli- 

 mate during the winter. Their gaits are a walk and a trot : 

 they never bound like the flag. If upon triaUt is found that 

 the elk can be rendered ufeful in the harnefs, it woidd in 

 many views be an acquifition : as its trot is very rapid^ it is 

 probable that, in light carriages, they would out-travel the 

 horfe. The rein-deer affords abundance of rich milk. It is 

 not to be doubted that the animal, which is only a larger 

 fpecies of rcin-dcer, might be brought to furnifli our dairies. 

 Jt appears to me to be lefs delicate in its food than a hoHe. 

 Mine have been kept fat on hay alone, though they were very 

 negligently attended. They are long lived, and more pro- 

 ductive than any domeflic beafl of burden, generally pro- 

 ducing two fawns at a birth. By caflration they may be 

 prevented from getting horns, if, as I fuppofe, their enor- 

 mous fizc fliould be confidcrd as inconvenient. It is pro- 

 bable. 



