170 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



divisions of the hoofs, which are very long, separate as they press 

 the ground, and close together as they are raised, with a clatter- 

 ino- sound, which may be heard to some distance. This circum- 

 stance is also remarked in the Rein-deer. 



" Notwithstanding the ease and swiftness of their movements, 

 they would be easily captured, if pursued by horsemen and 

 hounds, in a country adapted to such a chase, as they are both 

 short-breathed and tender-footed. 



" The acuteness of their sense of hearing, which is thought to 

 be possessed by the Moose in the greatest degree of perfection, 

 together with the keenness of their smell, renders it very diffi- 

 cult to approach them. The Indians attempt it by creeping 

 among the trees and bushes, always keeping to the leeward of 

 the Deer, In summer, when they resort to the borders of 

 lakes and rivers, the Indians often kill them whilst crossing the 

 streams, or when swimming from the shore to the islands. 

 * They are,' says Hearne, ' when pursued in this manner, the 

 most inoffensive of all animals, never making any resistance ; and 

 the young ones are so simple that I remember to have seen an 

 Indian paddle his canoe up to one of them, and take it by the poll 

 without the least opposition ; the poor, harmless animal seeming 

 at the same time as contented alongside of the canoe, as if swim- 

 ming by the side of its dam, and looking up in our faces with 

 the same fearless innocence that' a house-lamb would, making 

 use of its fore foot almost every instant to clear its eyes of mos- 

 quetoes, which at that time were remarkably numerous.' 



" The flesh of the Moose, though greatly coarser and tougher 

 than other vension, is esteemed excellent food, and the Indians, 

 hunters, and travellers, all declare they can stand more fatigue 

 while fed on this meat than while using any other. The large 

 and gristly extremity of the nose is accounted an epicuriantreat, 

 and the tongue of the animal is also highly prized, notwithstand- 

 ing it is not commonly so fat and delicate as the tongue of the 

 common Deer. As the Moose feeds upon the twigs, buds and 

 small branches of the willow, birch, poplar, mosses, acjuatic 

 planls, &c., its flesh must be peculiarly flavored. The fat of the 



