ELK. 69 



great, ;ht about 1229 pounds. The horns 



been known to weigh fifty-six pounds, and 



to measure each thirty-two inches in length. The 



le is rather smaller than the male, and has no 



MS. 



In Europe the Elk is found chiefly in Su-eden, 

 .ay, and some parts of Russia. In Asia it 

 occurs in the woody tracts of the Russian do- 

 minions and in Siberia in particular is found of 

 gigantic magnitude. In America it seems to be 

 most common in Canada, and the country round 

 thf great lakes, and is called by the name of 

 -e-l)cer. The Elk chuses its residence in the 

 midst of forests, for the convenience of brousing 

 the boughs of trees ; for it grazes somewhat diffi- 

 cultly on account of its short neck and long legs. 

 Its general pace is described to be a high, sham- 

 bling, but very swift trot, the feet being lifted 

 up very high, and the hoots clattering* much 

 during their motion, as is the case also with the 

 R( iii-l)ecr. They feed principally by night, and 

 whenever they graze are observed to chusc an as- 

 cending ground, for the greater convenience of 

 naching the surface with their lips. 



The Elk, though naturally of an inoffensive and 

 peaceable disposition, displays a high degree of 

 courage, and even ferocity, when suddenly at- 

 tacked ; defending himself with great vigour, not 



* This clattering of the hoofs is denied by tome authors, but it 

 la particularly affirmed of the Moose by Mr. Pennant in his Arctic 

 Zoology. 



