MOOSE, OR ELK.—Alces Mulchis. 
spot. The enormous horns form no barrier to his progress through the woods, for when 
the Elk runs, he always throws his horns well back upon his shoulders, so that they rather 
assist than impede him in traversing the forest glades. The Elk is a capital swimmer, 
proceeding with great rapidity, and often taking to the water for its own amusement in 
Africa. During the summer months of the year it spends a considerable portion of its 
time under water, its nose and horns being the only parts of its form which appear above 
the surface. Even the very young Moose is a strong and fearless swimmer. 
The skin of the Elk is extremely thick, and has been manufactured into clothing that 
would resist a sword blow and repel an ordinary pistol ball. The flesh is sometimes dressed 
fresh, but is generally smoked like hams, and is much esteemed. The large muzzle or 
upper lip is, however, the principal object of admiration to the lovers of Elk flesh, and is 
said to be rich and gelatinous when boiled, resembling the celebrated green fat of the 
turtle. 
When captured young, the Elk is very susceptible of domestication, and in a few hours 
will learn to distinguish its keeper, and to follow him about with playful confidence. If, 
however, the animal has attained to a moderate growth, it becomes fierce, surly, and dan- 
gerous. “In the middle of the night,” says Audubon, speaking of a young captive Elk, 
“we were awakened by a great noise in the hovel, and found that as it had in some measure 
recovered from its terror and state of exhaustion, it began to think of getting home, and 
was much enraged at finding itself so securely imprisoned. We were unable to do anything 
with it, for if we merely approached our hands to the opening of the hut, it would spring 
at us with the greatest fury, roaring and erecting its mane in a manner that convinced 
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