THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 



689 



spot. The enormous horns form no barrier to his progress through the . woods, for 

 when the Elk runs, he always throws his horns well back upon his shoulders, so that 

 they rather assist than impede him in traversing the forest glades. The Elk is a capital 

 swimmer, proceeding with great rapidity, and often taking to the water for its own 

 amusement in Africa. During the summer months of the year it spends a considerable 

 portion of its time under water, its nose and horns being the only parts of its form which 

 appear above the surface. Even the very young Moose is a strong and fearless swimmer. 

 The skin of the Elk is extremely thick, and has been manufactured into clothing that 

 would resist a sword blow and repel an ordinary pistol ball. The flesh is sometimes 

 dressed fresh, but is generally smoked like hams, and is much esteemed. The large 





MOOSE, OR ELK. Alcea Malchls. 



muzzle or upper lip is, however, the principal object of admiration to the lovers of Elk 

 flesh, and is said to be rich and gelatinous when boiled, resembling the celebrated 

 green fat of the turtle. 



When captured young, the Elk is very susceptible of domestication, and in a few 

 hours will learn to distinguish its keeper, and to follow him about with playful confi- 

 dence. If, however, the animal has attained to a moderate growth, it becomes fierce, 

 surly, and dangerous. " In the middle of the night," says Audubon, speaking of a 

 young captive Elk, " we were awakened by a great noise in the hovel, and found that 

 as it had in some measure recovered from its terror and state of exhaustion, it began 

 to think of getting home, and was much enraged at finding itself so securely imprisoned. 

 We were unable to do anything with it, for if we merely approached our hands to the 

 opening of the hut, it would spring at us with the greatest fury, roaring and erecting 



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