RUMINANTIA. CERVID^E. 75 



Skull. 



ft, 



Length measured over the os frontis, ... 2 



" " over the palatine bones to the foramen, . 1 



" from the occipital crest to a prominence between the horns, 



" froin the prominence to the bottom of the depression, 



Depth of the depression, . . . . .0 



Length from the prominence to the lower end of the nasal bones, 



" from the lower end of the nasal to the end of the maxillary, 10 



" from the centre of the horn to the centre of the orbit, 



" from the tip of one horn to the other, . . 2 



" of the horn, ..... 2 



Breadth of the jaw over the palatine bones, . . .0 



Length over the processes of ossa malarum, . . 



Height of the upper jaw, . . . . .0 



Width over the centre of the orbits, ... 



Length of the lower jaw, . . . . .1 



Number of prongs to the horn measured, 8 



Observations. The Moose is not found at present within the 

 limits of tliis State, neither has it probably been taken within its 

 bounds for the last thirty or forty years. It may, therefore, be 

 considered as extinct, so far as Massachusetts is concerned. It 

 is still found in Maine, and in the northern parts of New York, 

 Vermont, and New Hampshire. 



The Moose, which, in the Indian language, means tcood-eater, 

 comes to maturity in about five years. The female brings forth 

 two calves in the spring, which, in the course of the season, pre- 

 sent a growth of horn in the form and size of a small knob ; in 

 the second year, it is a round spike, and slightly curved at the 

 extremity, and it is not until the third year that it begins to branch 

 and flatten, and to present the appearance of being palmate. In 

 the summer, the Moose frequents swamps and marshy grounds in 

 the vicinity of lakes and ponds. In those places it finds a sup- 

 ply of its peculiar food, which consists of coarse grass, and twigs 

 of young trees, especially the striped maple ; it is also in the habit 

 of peeling old trees, and feeding on the bark. We have but to 

 inspect this animal to be satisfied that its habits must be different 

 from those of our common domesticated animals, for it will be 

 observed at a glance, that it stands so high upon its legs, and 

 its neck is so short, that it cannot conveniently feed in ordinary 



