218 



BLACK ELK. 



man, and who, when seen in all the glory of his full- 

 grown horns amid the scenery of his own wilder- 

 ness, is one of the most magnificent animals in 

 nature. 



THE BLACK ELK. 



A specimen was observed by Dr. James and his 

 party, under circumstances of peculiar interest. In 

 proceeding up the Rocky Mountains, they expe- 

 rienced much difficulty, and underwent considerable 

 labour in scaling the steep ascents; some hazard, 

 also, in descending the precipitous declivities which 

 marked their course. The timber was small, and 

 sprung from out the fissures of the rocks, and many 

 of the solitary pines which grew far up the moun- 

 tain, had evidently been the sport of furious tern- 



