NATURAL HISTORY. 



1G1 



principally on a kind of lichen, which it scrapes from beneath 

 the snow. Daring the winter, its coat thickens, and assumes 

 a lighter hue, many deer being almost white. Its hoofs are 

 divided very high, so that when the animal places its foot on 

 the ground, the hoof spreads wide, and as it raises the foot, a 

 snapping noise is heard, caused by the parts of the hoof closing 

 together. When harnessed to a sledge, it can draw from 250 

 to 300 pounds' weight at about ten miles an hour. 



ALCE^. (Or. ''A2.K77, an Elk.) 



Palniatus (Lat. pained), tlie Ell: 



The EUROPEAN ELK inhabits the northern parts of Europe. 

 It was considered at one time to be identical with the Ameri- 

 can Elk, but naturalists now believe it to be a distinct animal. 

 Its usual pace is a high awkward trot, but when frightened, 

 it sometimes gallops. It is very strong, and can destroy a 

 Wolf with a single blow of its large and powerful horns. In 



