64 FOREST LIFE IN ACADIE. 



geons, in wliich no grounds of distinction whatever are 

 evidenced. 



I consider tliat this and the other arctic deer — the 

 rangifers (excepting, perhaps, in the latter instance the 

 small barren-ground cariboo, which is probably a distinct 

 species) — owe any differences of colour or size, or even 

 shape of the antler, to local variation, influenced by the 

 physical features of the country they inhabit. There is 

 more variation in the woodland cariboo of America in i 's 

 distribution across the continent than I am able to perceive 

 between the elks of the Old and New "World. As migra- 

 tory deer, occupying the same great zoological province, 

 almost united in its arctic margin, we need not look for 

 difference of species as we do in the case of animals whose 

 zones of existence are more remote from the Pole, and 

 where we find identical species replaced by typical. 



The remark of an old writer that the elk is a *' melan- 

 cholick beast, fearful, to be seen, delighting in nothing 

 but moisture," expresses the cautious and retiring habits 

 of the moose, and the partiality which it evinces for the 

 long, mossy swamps, where the animal treads deeply and 

 noiselessly on a soft cushion of sphagnum. These swamps 

 are of frequent occurrence round the margins of lakes, 

 and occupy low ground everywhere. They are covered 

 by a rank growth of black spruce (Abies nigra), of stunted 

 and unhealthy appearance, their roots perpetually bathed 

 by the chilling water which underlies the sphagnum, and 

 their contorted branches shaggy with usnea. The cin- 

 namon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea) grows luxuriantly ; 

 and its waving fronds, tinged orange-brown in the fall of 

 the year, present a pleasing contrast to the light sea- 

 green carpet of. moss from which they spring profusely. 



