306 THE MOUNTAIN. 



can mammals, is destined soon to disappear before advancing 

 civilization, like the human representative or indigenous man 

 of the continent. The huntsman may still hope, as he treads 

 the mountain forests, to be startled by the presence of this 

 superb king of stags. The range of the American elk is 

 Northern United States to Upper Missouri, and west to the 

 Pacific ; said also to extend to 51, north latitude, according 

 to Richardson. 



DEER. 



CERVUS Yirginianus, Virginia, or common deer. This 

 animal is still abundant on the Alleghanies, and said to have 

 a range of the United States generally east of Missouri and 

 north to Maine. Quantities of the flesh of the deer (veni- 

 son) are sent from the Alleghanies to the cities of the 

 State both east and west. 



OX. 



(Family Bovidae.) 



Bos, Bison, (Linn.) This native species has long disap- 

 peared from the eastern side of the continent. 



Bos, Taurus, introduced. The common ox has many 

 varieties, some of which are the most useful and interesting 

 animals. The species is susceptible of extensive modifica- 

 tion by careful cultivation ; and, as the constant friend of man, 

 now almost necessary to his existence, this attention and 

 cultivation seem a sure evidence of his progress. Whe- 

 ther patiently bearing the yoke,* a helper in the field, as in 



* Although apparently the simplest and easiest of all operations, 

 the driving and management of oxen perfectly is one of the most 

 critical and triumphant of human achievements. They seem to 

 think on the mountain, and they are right, that the real subduer of 

 the ox must possess a special genius, or original influx of force in that 

 direction. As no man, even with any amount or sum-total of ordi- 

 nary human faculties, can be a poet, a painter, an orator, or a fisher- 

 man, so certainly cannot any commonly endowed mortal become a 

 driver of oxen. A special dodge of Fate is required to produce these 



