THE 



CANADIAN 



NATURALIST AND GEOLOGIST. 



BY E. BILLINGS. 



Volume I. APRIL, 1856. NtJMBEU 11. 



^ ARTICLE X.— On iha IVapile, or Canadian Slag, {Elaphus 

 Canadensis ) 



Genus Elapiius. 



Tlic males of this genus have largo, round, branching horns, and 

 canhie teeth in the upper jaw only. The females have neither horns nor 

 canine tectli. Both sexes have the head terminating anteriorly in a muzzle. 

 They have also a lachrymal or sub-orbital sinus. The Denial Form.ula is 

 as follows : — Incisive, ^ ; Canine, l-] ; Molar, f-f ; — 34. The generic 

 name is derived from the Greek Elaphcs,, a stag. The red deer of Britain 

 is a species of this genus. The only species known in America is the 

 Wapite or Canadian Stag, com.monly callal the American Elk. 



Elapiius Canadensis. 



Specific CiiAKACXErvS. — Larger than the Ccmmon Deer ; Horns large, 



net palmated, with, brcwn antlers ; a naked space round the lachrymal open- 



ing ; tail short ; Colour ijellcivish, hrcwn above, a black mark extending 



Jrom the angle (f the mouth along the sides of the Iciver jaw ; a long pals 



yelloiuish spot on the buttocks. 



According to tradition, one hundred and twenty years ago, tins deer 



Was not uncommon north of the St. Lawrence, and upon the arrival of the first 



white settlers its rango extended over the whole of the United States. At 



present it is abundant in the western prairies and the eastern side of the Rockj 



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