84 . ANIMALS OP NORTH AMERICA. 



green forests, where a luxuriant vegetation affords them an 

 abundant supply of buds and tender twigs ; or of the great 

 plains, where the solitude is seldom interrupted, and all- 

 bounteous nature spreads an immense field for their support. 

 The Elk sheds its horns about the end of February, or 

 beginning of March ; and such is the rapidity with which the 

 new horns shoot forth, that in less than a month they are a 

 foot in length. The whole surface of the horn is covered by 

 a soft, hairy membrane, which, from its resemblance to that 

 substance, is called velvet ; and the horns are said to be 

 " in the velvet " until the month of August, by which time 

 they have attained their full size. After they are fully 

 formed, the membrane becomes entirely detached ; and this 

 separation is hastened by the animal, who appears to suffer 

 some irritation, which causes him to rub them against the trees. 

 The velvet, in its hanging state, closely resembles a tangled 



The Elk [is shy and retiring ; having very acute senses, it 

 receives early warning of the approach of any human intruder. 

 As soon as the hunter is fairly discovered, it bounds along 

 for a few paces, stops, turns half round, and scans its pur- 

 suer with a steady gaze, then throwing back its lofty horns 

 upon its neck, and projecting its taper nose forward, it 

 springs from the ground, and advances with a velocity 

 which soon leaves the object of its dread far out of sight. 

 But during August and September, when the horns are in 

 perfect order, it employs them and its hoofs with great 

 effect, and the lives of men and dogs are endangered by 

 coming within its reach. When at bay, it fights with great 

 eagerness, as if resolved to be avenged. The following 

 incident, from Long's Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, 

 will, in some degree, illustrate this statement : 



" A herd of twenty or thirty Elk were seen at no great 

 distance from the party, standing in the water, or lying 

 upon the sand beach. One of the finest bucks was singled 



