76 QUADRUPEDS OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



pastures ; hence we see that it is peculiarly fitted to feed on the 

 high coarse grasses of marshes, or on the leaves of the water hly, 

 or on the twigs and bark of trees ; and it is thus we find that its 

 habits correspond to its organization. 



In the winter these animals herd together to the number of eight 

 or ten individuals, which, unless when disturbed by hunters, occupy 

 a common space or enclosure, during the whole period in which the 

 ground is covered with snow. Those spaces are selected in 

 which a supply of food is found, which must then consist entirely 

 of twigs and the branches of trees, together with their bark. 

 The snow is trodden down hard, and the space gradually extended 

 as the food diminishes within ; they do not, therefore, roam about 

 at this season, as in summer, but confine themselves to the vicinity 

 of the places originally selected for their abode during the 

 winter. The movements of the Moose are rapid, when pursued, 

 and they make their way with the greatest ease through thickets, 

 over fallen trees, and through brush almost impenetrable to man. 

 Their gait is a long trot, in which the hoofs are spread wide 

 apart, which makes them tender-footed, and unequal to the 

 task of long continued flight ; hence they are overtaken by dogs 

 and held at bay, even in that part of the season most favorable to 

 their escape. 



This animal has been domesticated, and broken to the harness, 

 although naturally of a shy and timid disposition. Its sense of 

 seeing is comparatively obtuse, but those of smell and hearing 

 are extremely acute, both being greatly favored by the size of their 

 respective organs. Thus the ears are large and quite movable, 

 and well calculated to collect sounds, and transmit them to the 

 auditory apparatus ; the nose, together with the spongoid bones 

 within the cavity, is very large, and thereby permits of a great 

 extension of the schneiderian membrane, to which the olfactory 

 nerves are distributed ; hence it is impossible to approach them 

 when the wind is blowing towards them, as a strange odor wafted 

 to them in the air excites at once their attention, and puts them 

 into the attitude of examination. When, on the contrary, the 

 wind blows in the other direction, they may be approached directly 

 without exciting suspicion. In some respects, it is desirable that 

 so fine an animal should be saved from entire extirpation, though 



