264 



EXTINCT AND VANISHING MAMMALS 



elk at the height of their abundance were the easiest to hunt 

 and hence the most rapidly killed of the large game, but when 

 much hunted they became very wild, and it is probable that 

 besides the vast numbers killed in the State, many were driven 

 out of its borders." Running down elk on horseback was a 

 favorite form of plains sport. The meat was in great demand as 

 about the best of game animals, while the hides were much 

 used as leather not only by the Indians for moccasins but by 

 the whites for various purposes. The upper canine teeth were 

 a prized decoration of Indian women, and in later times were in 

 great demand as watch charms among the whites, a demand 

 that for a time led to much ruthless slaughter. 



The possibility of raising elk commercially under fence has 

 been somewhat developed and is the subject of more recent 



Eastern wapiti (Cervus canadensis canadensis} 



