THE MOOSE DEER. 



Oervus Alces. 



THIS gigantic deer, the largest of all -the deer tribe, and 

 which is distinguished from all others not only by the 

 magnificence of its dimensions, but by the fact that it is 

 the only one of the genus which is uncouth in its form, 

 ungraceful in its attitudes, and awkward and ungainly 

 in its action and gait, is identical in every respect with 

 the Elk of Europe, no distinction being discernible on 

 the closest examination. .It must, however, on no' ac- 

 count be confounded with the great Wapiti Deer, or 

 American Elk, Cervus Ccwandensis, as it is in every 

 respect different and distinct. The JVloose-cleer, which 

 derives its name in the vernacular from its appellation 

 in the Algonquin tongue, musu, is entirely a Northern, 

 and more especially a North-Eastern animal, being most 

 abundant in the British Provinces of Nova Scotia and 

 New Brunswick, in Maine, the northern part of New 

 Hampshire, and the Adirondack Highlands of the state 

 of New York, beyond which to the westward it is never 

 found south of the St. Lawrence, nor I think is there any 

 reason to believe that its range has ever extended far to 



