392 Natural Hisiorrj. 



Virghiianus) and of the horse, much more than that of the e!k 

 or moose, and is pointed and handsome. The legs are admirably 

 formed for strength and activity, resembling those of the race- 

 horse, parlicul.uly the hinder; on the outside of each of these is 

 a protuberance of yellowish hair, which is the scat of a gland that 

 secretes an unctuous substance, aiul the animal applies it to 

 smooth and dress his coat, which is so admirably constructed that 

 it is thus rendered impervious to rain, or to water if he swims 

 across a river. 



The wapiti has an oblique slit or opening under the inner an- 

 gle of each eye, nearly an inch long externally, which appears to 

 be an auxiliary to the nostril. He has no voice like the horse or 

 the ox, and this organ seems to be given him as a compensation; 

 lor with it he makes a noise, which he can vary at pleasure, and 

 which is like the loud and piercing whistle that boys give by 

 putting their fingers in their mouth. 



The anatomist and naturalist will find in the structure of this 

 animal a variety of objects highly deserving their best attention. 



Notwithstanding the wapiti has a cloven foot and chews the 

 cud like the ox, yet he has a bridle tusk like the horse, and the 

 lower jaw is admnably fitted to be operated upon by a bridle and 

 bit. The tongue is remarkable for its softness and smoothness. 



The wapiti is esteemed, and justly, the pride of the American 

 forest, being unquestionably the handsomest and most valuable 

 native quadruped that has yet been discovered in that extensive 

 country. He is mature when he is twelve years old, and his full 

 size is about eighteen hands. The largest of the two males now 

 in the King's Mews is full fourteen hands, and that he has but 

 lately entered his sixth year is manifest from his horns. 



Like all otlier animals that are long in coming to maturity, 

 they live to a great age; the full extent of their lives is indeed not 

 perfectly known; but the Indians (who keep no registers) say of 

 a man, when he is grown in years and inactive, that "he is as 

 old as a wapiti," which certainly indicates that this animal must 

 at least ecjual the age of him to whom he is compared. 



The two females appear to be smaller and somewliat younger 

 than the males; their necks resemble in some degree that of the 

 dromedary. 



The food of the n'apiti, in a domestic state, is the same as that 

 of the cow or the horse; and they are, if properly managed, equally 

 tractable. Ill usage or harshness makes them alarmed and impa- 

 tiant; but they are very sensible of benefits, and lick the hand that 

 feeds them. 



No quadruped can be more personally clean than the wapiti; 

 his breath is as sweet as that of the cow. The males are attached 

 to only one female, and the latter generally produce twins. 



The 



