ORNAMENTAL COAT. 153 



p. 127) : " The young deer (Caribou) are dappled on the side and 

 flank witli liglit sandy spots/' Wherever I find the subject al- 

 luded to I find the spots mentioned, so we may conclude it is 

 general if not universal. The Caribou is generally admitted to 

 be among the oldest living representatives of the deer in this 

 country. Their fossil remains have been found associated with 

 the extinct mammals, which is certainly strong evidence of their 

 ancient existence. It may be — and yet we cannot affirm that it 

 is so — that this ornamentation of the young is fading out and be- 

 coming more rare or less distinct with time, but we must re- 

 member that the spots are more frequently found on the young 

 Caribou than the moose, and yet the same amount of evidence is 

 not produced of the great antiquity of the latter as of the 

 former. The glandular system on the hind legs is the same in 

 both, and this is constantly suggesting itself to me as connected 

 with the antiquity of the races — that their ancestors long ages 

 ago had the metatarsal gland, as we see it on all our other deer, 

 except the smallest, and has in the course of time disappeared, 

 whilst the tarsal gland, which is nearly dormant, alone remains, 

 and that this too in the course of time will finally die out and 

 disappear. I must admit that the want of facts in support of 

 this suggestion leaves it scarcely worth the space it occupies ; but 

 we all at times admit convictions, for the support of which the 

 absolute proofs are inadequate, but then we may be permitted 

 to state them as conjectures, honestly admitting the want of 

 proof. 



The young Elk or Wapiti is always provided with the spotted 

 dress. The spots are large but not very profuse. They are of 

 a dull white, on a yellowish tawny ground. These spots are 

 found on the flanks, sides, and thighs, and a line on the neck. 

 They are not arranged with any definite system or order, but 

 seem to be laid on rather carelessly and as if by accident. 

 Neither the ground or the spots have that brilliancy which at- 

 tracts admiration. Still the spots are no doubt ornamental and 

 are always noticed with pleasure by the observer who looks at 

 the Elk fawn for the first time. Half a dozen, by the sides of 

 their dams, with high heads and their ears thrown forward and 

 their eyes glistening, looking at the stranger, as if influenced 

 partly by fear and partly by curiosity, form a pretty sight 

 among the trees, which one, though not a naturalist, cannot but 

 admire. If when he turns away he is unable to tell you the 

 ground color of the fawn or the dam, he will be sure to tell you 

 of the spots. 



