70 



THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



The Elk. 



Griffith, Cuv., V. 303. 



The Moose Hardy, F. L. in Ac, 45, Fig., 1869. 



Largest of all the deer family and most ungainly in form. Head long 

 and narrow. Eyes small and sunken. Nose long and flexible and cov- 

 ered with liairs, except a spot between the nostrils. Ears very long and 

 coarse. Antlers large and spreading ; broadly palmated with numerous 

 sharp points. Neck short and stout and nearly horizontal ; higher at 

 the wethers than at the hips. Body short and round. Legs long and 

 stout; fore legs the longest. Accessory hoofs large and loosely attached. 

 No metatarsal gland. Tarsal gland inside the hock present but small, 



and covered with black reversed hair. Hair long, coarse, and rather 

 brittle ; longest about the neck ; color variant from black to brown and 

 yellowish gray. Antlers wanting on the female, which is smaller than 

 the male and lighter colored in winter. 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



I have never attempted the domestication of this species, and 

 have seen but few live specimens, and then under circumstances 

 not favorable to a careful study of the animal. Hence my ex- 

 aminations have been principally confined to mounted specimens 



