MOOSE DEER. 99 



disproportionate withers, looking even higher than 

 they are from the mane that surmounts them, can never 

 be considered by an impartial judge but an awkward 

 and clumsy-looking brute. 



Of all the ruminants on the American continent, the 

 moose is the tallest. I doubt not that a stall-fed ox 

 can be made to weigh as heavy, but not to attain the 

 stature, and on this account, as well as many others, it 

 is really a duty that the legislatures of the various 

 States of which he is an inhabitant owe to the country 

 at large to pass and enforce such laws as will prevent 

 his ultimate annihilation. 



Probably it may never again be my good fortune to 

 revisit America ; but can I ever forget the happy days 

 and nights I have spent in the dense swamp, sparsely 

 covered, barren, tangled wood-land, or over the brilliant 

 camp-fire, when, miles and miles away from civilisation, 

 I have been on an expedition to hunt moose ? No ! 

 Though I have shot in all parts of the world, gone 

 through scenes exciting, both as soldier and hunter, 

 Northern Maine, with all its glorious lakes, rivers, and 

 mountains, will stand paramount: for there my experi- 

 ence of moose hunting was gained ; there I made my 

 maiden effort, which was a failure, to return years 

 afterwards and awake the echoes with the war-whoop 

 that proclaims success. 



