50 Game of Europe, W. & N. Asia & America 



of which the span is 78,^ inches. In the hitter the length is 49 inches, 

 but in a pair belonging to Mr. W. Hart the length is 55.^ inches. 



According to an account given by Mr. W. H. Osgood in No. 19 of the 

 North Aiiicricdi! Fciumi^ it appears that the range of this variety of the elk. 

 extends alone the Yukon from Lakes Atlin and Tagish at least as far as the 

 mouth of the Tanana, and probably some distance farther. Occasionally 

 it appears to leave the shelter of the forests to wander to the shores of the 

 Arctic Ocean. Although still abundant everywhere, it is more common in 

 the tributary valleys than in the Yukon itself, where it suffered severely 

 during the rush to the Klondike goldfields. During winter, indeed, elk- 

 meat forms the staple diet of both the white and red population of these 

 dreary districts, and as its price at the mining camps has been as high as 

 from one to two dollars per pound, there is naturally a keen incentive to 

 the pursuit of an animal which yields a large amount of such a valuable 

 commodity. The hides, too, are valued both by Indians and whites. Mr. 

 Cowan informed the writer that in places this elk is still very numerous 

 and easy to kill. 



In the case of Mr. Hart's specimen above mentioned, the height of the 

 animal at the shoulder is stated to have been 8^ feet, while that of another 

 individual is given at 7 feet 8 inches. The estimated weight of the 

 former animal was set at 2600 lbs. These dimensions and weights must, 

 however, tor the present be received with caution. 



