GO Moose Deer, — Alces Amoicana. 



It has a very extensive geological raDgc. Sir K. Mui-chison says : 

 *' The universally spread Lepiena depressa, now more correctly referred to 

 the genus Strophomena, extends upwards throughout the whole series from 

 the very oldest beds of Llandeilo to the upper Ludlow rock." — Siluria, 

 pag-e 186. Professor Hall says : " This species has a wide range, occm-ring 

 in the Clinton group, and ranging to the Upper Helderberg limestones ; and 

 if we include the similar or identical species Leptena tenuistriata as the same, 

 we have the example of a species ranging from Lower Silurian to Devonian, 

 and travershig three systems of ^strata." — Paleontology of Xew Yokk, 

 Vol. 2, page 258. 



Avicula emacerata (Fig. 6) is a very pretty shell, not uncommon in 

 the Niagara group. Prof. Hall, says : — " It is easily recognised by its 

 left valve (the one J3gured) the strong rays of which are regularly cancel- 

 lated by concentric stri«. The right valve is rarely seen, and it appears to 

 have been extremely thin and fragile, nearly or quite flat, marked on the 

 body of the shell by concentric hnes only, while the Yving has sometimes a 

 few obsolete radiating striae. In consequence of the depressed form of this 

 valve, the line of separation between the wing and the body of the shell is not 

 distinctly marked." The extent of the posterior wing, the long projecting 

 pomt above in the figure, is variable, and the anterior wing, or that at the 

 left angle above in the fig-ure, is sometimes curved downwards. 



Avicula, '' a little bird ;" Emacerata, thin. 



Favosites Niagarensis. — Fig 1 is an example of a very extensive 

 group of corals, abundant in the Silurian rocks. They are usually met with 

 in the form of rounded or irregular shaped bodies, covered all over with an- 

 gular cells, and thus have the appearance of petrified honey combs. Each of 

 those cells, however, is the stony tube-like skeleton of one of those marine 

 animals, which, in the present age, furnish by then- growth, materials for the 

 extensive coral reefs of the tropical oceans. As the corals, on account of 

 their abundance, require much consideration, we shall in another place 

 enter into the examination of their structure somewhat in detail, and shall 

 defer until then any further notice of the species figured in the plate. 



ARTICLE VIL — Natural History of the Moose Deer, Mces Americana. 



There are, according to the more recent systems of classification, forty- 

 two species of ruminating animals properly included within the limits of the 

 family Cervid^. The greater number of these are remarkable for their 

 beauty, strength keen sense, of sight and smell, and above all for their 

 swiftness in flight. They are in general of an agile graceful form, with a 

 slender but muscular neck, small tapering head, large lustrous eyes, and long 

 sinewy and powerful legs, their principal protection against their enemies 

 being in speed. Certain species herd together in vast droves, preferring 

 wide grassy plains, open forests and hills of low elevation, but never frequent 

 rugged and high mountains, like the chamois and goat. 



