Southern (American) Elk. 49 



merly saw Elks carry burthens*." Perhaps, the In- 

 dians may have seen the Elk employed, as a beast of 

 burthen, by the Spaniards, to the west of the Missi- 

 sippi. If the Alcos of New- Mexico be our Elk, as I 

 suppose it is, this suspicion is rendered more proba- 

 ble : for we are told, that that animal has been trained 

 to the chariot, instead of the horsef. 



The flesh of the Elk is deemed good eating. The 

 Indians, who are certainly great economists with re- 

 gard to their food,' eat the tender horns of this animal, 

 as well as its flesh. The horns are, no doubt, nutri- 

 tious, as they are very gelatinous, and abound in blood. 

 Some of the white people have long been accustomed 

 to make an excellent glue from them, whilst in this 

 tender state. 



The skin of the Elk, when dressed, makes durable 

 waistcoats and breeches for labouring people. 



Superstition and quackery seem attached to savages, 

 and to people in a rude state of society, in every part 

 of the world. The Indians are of opinion, that the 

 horny matter of one of the hind hoofs of an Elk, is a 

 remedy against fits. I am not able to say, what is the 



* The History of the American Indians, Sec. p. 1 13. London: 

 1775. 



t " The alcos of New-Mexico (says Clavigero) are of the size 

 of a horse. There was a gentleman in the city of Zrxafecas, who 

 made use of them for his chariot, instead of horses, according to 

 the testimony of Iktancourt." Clavigero's History of Mexico. 

 Vol. ii. p. 287. 



SUFPL. r. 



