THE WAPITI. 159 



their way, they will lift and toss it clear over their 

 backs. 



They feed on tender branches and shoots of the 

 firs, as well as on the various ground herbage, and 

 during the summer, when tormented by the flies, 

 have a singular manner of gaining their sustenance, 

 and at the same time defending themselves from 

 their attacks. They, at this season, feed on aquatic 

 plants, and entirely immerse themselves in the lakes 

 and rivers, browsing completely under water, and 

 only raising their heads above it to breathe. At this 

 time they are often so intent on their food, or care- 

 less of what surrounds them, that the hunters glide 

 gently with the stream in a canoe, and often gain 

 within shot. 



Mr Smith introduces in this place another animal 

 to which he has provisionally given the name of C. 

 occidentalis or North Western Stag. He thinks it 

 frequents the utmost western limits of North Ame- 

 rica beyond the Rocky Mountains ; and in appearance 

 and colouring is very closely allied to the Wapiti. 

 The antlers, however, differ much ; and besides the 

 limited materials which he found in America, he 

 discovered two pairs of horns in the British Museum, 

 which corresponded exactly with his sketches, and 

 presented the character which he considers belonging 

 to this species, in having the bezantler the longest of 

 the three in each beam. 



The annexed wood-cut will explain this, and be 



