THE ELK, OR MOOSE -DEER. 51 



from the nose to the insertion of the tail : the hair was 

 long and coarse like that of a wild hoar, and its ears 

 were a foot and a half in length : the upper jaw was 

 six inches longer than the under ; and, like other ru- 

 minating animals, it wanted the cutting-teeth : it had 

 a long beard under the throat, and in the middle of 

 the forehead a prominent bone as large as an egg ; 

 and it made use of its fore feet as weapons of defence. 

 Those who shewed it, asserted, that it could run with 

 rapidity, and swim with an equal degree of ease. 

 They gave it thirty pounds of bread every day, besides 

 an amazing quantity of hay ; and eight buckets of wa- 

 ter were scarcely sufficient to quench this astonishing 

 creature's thirst. It was gentle and good-humoured to 

 people in general, and perfectly obedient to its keeper's 

 word. 



These animals delight in cold countries : in the sum- 

 mer they feed upon grass, but, in the winter, upon 

 the bark of the trees. When the whole country is co- 

 vered with snow, the moose-deer herd together under 

 the tall pines, strip them of their bark, and remain in 

 that part of the forest until they cannot find any thing 

 more to eat. At that time the natives prepare to hunt 

 them, as their flesh is both nourishing and pleasant 

 food; and their hide, when tanned, makes most excel- 

 lent leather, for it is durable, pliant, and smooth to 

 the touch. The horns likewise are very useful, and are 

 used for the same purpose as those of the stag. The 

 animal is said to be troubled with an epilepsy, and fre- 

 quently falls down when it is pursued, and by this 

 means becqmes an easy prey to those whose business it 

 is to attend to the chase. 



ES 



