RUMINANTIA I CERVID/K. 



53 



comes dry and peels Flg - 44 - 



off, leaving the horns 



bare. At length the 



horn separates from 



the cranium and falls. 



Others, however, and 



larger ones, take their 



places, and these in 



turn are subject to the 



same changes. Th'is 



the horns of these 



animals are shed and 



renewed periodically. 



Such horns are called 



antlers. The dental Virginia Deer > c **&*** Boddaert. 



formula is incisors ^, canines ~ - Q or wanting, and molars 



|^|. This Family is represented in almost every region 



of the globe. 



The Genus Alee Moose is characterized by very 

 broadly palmated horns, found only on the male, and the 

 nose wholly covered with hair except a small spot be- 

 tween the nostrils. 



The Moose, A. americanus, Jardine, is the largest mem- 

 ber of the deer family, quite equalling the horse in bulk, 

 and standing very high ; and its broad antlers weigh from 

 fifty to seventy pounds. The muzzle is very broad and 

 prolonged, the ears long and hairy, the neck short and 

 thick, the latter and the shoulders covered by a sort of 

 mane, and the throat with long hair. The general color 

 is grayish-brown, and the hair is coarse and brittle. The 

 movements of the moose are rather heavy, but its speed is 

 great. It does not leap, but strides along without appar- 

 ent effort over fallen trees, fences, and other like obstruc- 

 tions. It is common in the unsettled parts of Maine and 

 New York, thence westward in corresponding latitudes, 



