114 Character of the Elk, 



The Elk, which is the subject of this communica' 

 tion, is a species of Cerviis, often alluded to, but not 

 distinctly described, by the systematic writers on na- 

 tural history. A very ample account of this majestic 

 animal will be given in the second part of the Editor's 

 Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsyhaniay 

 where it is named Cervus Wapiti. 



EXTRACT. CHARACTER OF THE ELK. 



STILL round the Lake the leafless Saplings stand, 

 Bark'd by the stately Elk, what time their Horns 

 Full grown, and branching o'er their cumber'd heads, 

 Requir'd the polish that Attrition gives. 

 And there their Wallow still attracts the Eye, 

 Unhonour'd yet with Verdure, where they roU'd 

 In Summer hours, and rose disguised with Mire. 

 And oft from swarms of teizing flies, they sought 

 The cooling wave impatient, bathing high 

 Their sides, and feeding on Nymphese leaves. 



Unlike the bounding Deer who loves at Eve 



To quit his native shades, to scale the Fence, 



And feast in verdant Grain-fields ; they abhor, 



And fly with fearful steps the haunts of Man. 



Fearful and yet unwatchful, they retire 



To Nettle Pastures and the ruggid Hills 



In social herds. There when die whitening Showers 



Descend, and high accumulating, hide 



The wither'd herbs; and piling still, a Crust 



Of icy Sleet denies their usual Range, 



