108 The Natural Histoid 



weigh from IGOO to 2400 pounds Weight. They are a very 

 fierce Creature, and much larger than an Ox. The Indians 

 cut their Skins into Quarters, for the ease of Transportation 

 or Carriage, and frequently make Beds of them to lie on ; they 

 likewise spin their Hair into Garters, Girdles, Sashes, and the 

 like, being long and curled, and frequently of a black or red 

 Chesnut colour. Of these Skins and the Wild Bull's the best 

 Buff is made. Their Horns wou'd serve for several uses, 

 such as drinking Cups, Powder-horns, Lanterns, and many 

 other JSTecessaries, being transparent when wrought; Rings 

 made of them are said to help the Cramp, and the Liver the 

 Spleen; the other Parts have much the same Virtues with 

 the Ox. There were two of the Calves of this Creature taken 

 alive in the Year 1730, by some of the Planters living near 

 Neus River, but whether they transported them to Europe, 

 or what other uses they made of them, I know not, having 

 occasion to leave that Country soon after. 



The Elk is a monstrous, large, strong and swift Beast, in 

 shape exactly like a Deer, but bigger than a Horse, and is re- 

 ported to be fearful, and subject to the Epilepsy or Falling 

 sickness. They have two large Horns, which exceed in weight 

 all Creatures that are yet known in the New World. Their 

 Neck is short and thick, but the Ears and Back very long: 

 Their Colour is like a Harts, and sometimes all White. 

 Their Flesh is not near so sweet as the Fallow-Deer, being 

 much courser and stronger. These Creatures may be made 

 Domestick, and it is said, that they are so swift, that they 

 will run more Miles in one Day than a Horse can in two. 

 Some take the Elk for the Red Deer of Ainerica, but I aia 

 credibly informed, that they are of two different kinds, and 

 that they will never breed together. Their Horns generally 



weigh 



