250 



THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



mark so limited in extent which so distinctly declares the 

 species. 



Unless I exaggerate to myself the importance of these indicia, 

 I shall be justified in describing them on each of the species of 

 which I treat with such particularity as will enable any one to 

 distinguish them. 



The gland on the outside of the hind leg has long been desig- 

 nated the metatarsal gland, from its location. That on the in- 

 side of the hock, for the sake of distinction and from its location, 

 I have called the tarsal gland. Both occupy the whole body of 

 the skin where they are situate. I here present figures showing 



I. Moose. 2. Wapiti or Elk. 3. Caribou. 4. Mule Deer. 5. 

 6. Common Deer. 7. Acapuico Deer. 



6 

 Black-tal 



5d De 



the outside of the hind legs of all the species of which I treat, 

 except that of the barren-ground caribou, which would only dif- 

 fer from that of the woodland caribou in size and in having 

 more white upon it. The location and extent of the metatarsal 

 gland is shown on Figs. 2, 4, 5 and 6, while it is entirely want- 

 ing on Figs. 1, 3, and 7. These marks or their absence are 

 shown on the full figures of the animals. 



If we commence with the largest in our examination, we find 

 that the metatarsal gland is entirely wanting on the Moose, nor 

 is there any tuft of hair on the outside of the metatarsus. All 

 the hairs are of an even length, and lie smooth and flat. I have 

 been led to a more careful examination for this gland, or some 

 tuft of hair in its place, from the fact that Dr. Gray, in " Knows- 



