560 THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 



THE first group of Deer is that which includes the Deer of the snowy regions, and com- 

 prehends two genera, the Elk and the Reindeer. 



The MOOSE, or ELK, is the largest of all the deer tribe, attaining the extraordinary height 

 of seven feet at the shoulders, thus equalling many an ordinary elephant in dimensions. The 

 horns of this animal are very large, and widely palmated at their extremities, their united 

 weight being so great as to excite a feeling of wonder at the ability of the animal to carry so 

 heavy a burden. It does not reach its full development until its fourteenth year. The 

 muzzle is very large and is much lengthened in front, so as to impart a most unique expression 

 to the Elk's countenance. The color of the animal is a dark brown, the legs being washed 

 with a yellow hue. It is a native of Northern Europe and America, the Moose of the latter 

 continent and the Elk of the former being one and the same species. 



As the flesh of the Elk is palatable, and the skin and the horns extremely useful, the 

 animal is much persecuted by hunters. It is a swift and enduring animal, although its gait is 

 clumsy and awkward in the extreme. The only pace of the Elk is a long, swinging trot ; but 

 its legs are so long and its paces so considerable, that its speed is much greater than it appears 

 to be. Obstacles that are almost impassable to a horse, are passed over easily by the Elk, 

 which has been known to trot uninterruptedly over a number of fallen tree-trunks, some of 

 them five feet in thickness. When the ground is hard and will bear the weight of so large an 

 animal, the hunters are led a very long and severe chase before they come up with their prey ; 

 but when the snow lies soft and thick on the ground, the creature soon succumbs to its 

 lighter antagonists, who invest themselves in snow-shoes and scud over the soft snow with 

 a speed that speedily overcomes that of the poor Elk, which sinks floundering into the deep 

 snow-drifts at every step, and is soon worn out by its useless efforts. 



It is as wary as any of the Deer tribe, being alarmed by the slightest sound or the 

 faintest scent that gives warning of an enemy. As the Elk trots along, its course is marked by 

 a succession of sharp sounds, which are produced by the snapping of the cloven hoofs, 

 which separate at every step, and fall together as the animal raises its foot from the ground. 



Generally, the Elk avoids the presence of man, but in some seasons of the year he becomes 

 seized with a violent excitement, that finds vent in fighting with every living creature that 

 may cross his path. His weapons are his horns and fore-feet, the latter being used with such 

 terrible effect that a single blow is sufficient to slay a wolf on the spot. The enormous horns 

 form no barrier to his progress through the woods, for when the Elk runs, he always throws 

 his horns well back upon his shoulders, so that they rather assist than impede him in travers- 

 ing the forest glades. The Elk is a capital swimmer, proceeding with great rapidity, and 

 often taking to the water for its own amusement. During the summer months of the 

 year it spends a considerable portion of its time under water, its nose and horns being the 

 only parts of its form which appear above the surface. Even the very young Moose is a strong 

 and fearless swimmer. 



The skin of the Elk is extremely thick, and has been manufactured into clothing that 

 would resist a sword blow and repel an ordinary pistol ball. The flesh is sometimes dressed 

 fresh, but is generally smoked like hams, and is much esteemed. The large muzzle or upper 

 lip is, however, the principal object of admiration to the lovers of Elk flesh, and is said to be 

 rich and gelatinous when boiled, resembling the celebrated green fat of the turtle. 



When captured young, the Elk is very susceptible of domestication, and in a few hours 

 will learn to distinguish its keeper, and to follow him about with playful confidence. If, 

 however, the animal has attained to a moderate growth, it becomes fierce, surly, and dan- 

 gerous. "In the middle of the night," says Audubon, speaking of a young captive Elk, "we 

 were awakened by a great noise in the hovel, and found that as it had in some measure 

 recovered from its terror and state of exhaustion, it began to think of getting home, and was 

 much enraged at finding itself so securely imprisoned. We were unable to do anything with 

 it, for if we merely approached our hands to the opening of the hut, it would spring at us 

 with the greatest fury, roaring and erecting its mane in a manner that convinced us of the 

 futility of all attempts to save it alive. We threw to it the skin of a deer, which it tore to 

 pieces in a moment. This individual was a yearling, and about six feet high." 



