BLACK ELK. 221 



out and projection of the nostrils is a peculiar 

 characteristic of the species, as well as the slit by 

 which they are divided ; they have possibly some 

 reference to the long and flexible upper lip, and its 

 four pair of strong muscles, by the aid of which the 

 animal is enabled to make movements equally various 

 and rapid. He is thus undoubtedly enabled to 

 select his food, and possibly to remain for a consider- 

 able time beneath the water. Indians say that in 

 order to preserve himself from the flies, which annoy 

 him during the summer months, he seeks the marshes, 

 and will often remain both night and day, feeding 

 upon water plants, and only raising his head occa- 

 sionally above the surface. Hence the advantage 

 which he derives from the extraordinary height to 

 which his body is lifted above the ground, and 

 hence also he does not require that long and grace- 

 ful neck which distinguishes several species of 

 deer. Certain it is that he frequents the water, 

 and it has even been related by persons deserving 

 of credit, that the moose often owes his preserva- 

 tion to the faculty of remaining for a considerable 

 time beneath it. We derive from Tanner's Nar- 

 rative the curious fact, that two Indian hunters 

 having chased one of these swift animals into a 

 small pond, waited until evening, expecting every 

 moment that he would emerge from the centre 

 of it, and make for the shore. But in vain they 

 watched and waited, for no bubble on the surface of 

 the water indicated that there was life beneath. At 

 length, supposing him to be either drowned, or to 

 have eluded their vigilance, they abandoned all hope 

 of taking him, and returned home. Not long after, 



