RUMINANTIA : CERVID^. 



95 



comes dry and peels 

 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. Thus 

 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 ~ | 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, 



