396 STRANGE DWELLINGS, 



scarped and cut by the wind in weird resemblance of human 

 architecture. 



During the sharp frosts, the Elk runs but little risk, because 

 it can traverse the hard, frozen surface of the snow with con- 

 siderable speed, although with a strange, awkward gait. Its 

 usual pace is a swinging trot ; but so light is its action, and so 

 long are its legs, that it quietly trots over obstacles which a 

 horse could not easily leap, because the frozen surface of the 

 snow, although competent to withstand the regular trotting 

 force, could not endure the sudden impact of a horse when 

 leaping. As an example of the curious trot of this animal, I 

 may mention that on one occasion an Elk was seen to trot 

 uninterruptedly over a number of fallen tree-trunks, some of 

 which were nearly five feet in diameter. 



It is a remarkable fact that the split hoofs of the Elk spread 

 widely when the foot is placed on the ground, coming together 

 again with a loud snap when it is raised. In consequence of 

 this peculiarity, the Elk's progress is rather noisy, the crackling 

 sounds of the hoofs following each other in quick succession. 



Want of food is sometimes a danger to the Elk ; but the 

 animal is taught by instinct to clear away the snow, and to 

 discover the lichens on which it chiefly lives. The carnivorous 

 animals, however, are always fiercely hungry in the winter-time, 

 and gain from necessity a factitious courage which they do not 

 possess at other times. As long, however, as the frost lasts, the 

 Elk cares little for such foes, as it can distance them if they 

 chase it ever so fiercely, or oppose them if by chance it should 

 find itself in a place where there is no retreat. They do not like 

 to attack an animal whose skin is so thick and tough that, when 

 tanned, it will resist an ordinary pistol-bullet, and which has 

 besides, an awkward knack of striking with its fore-feet like 

 a skilful boxer, knocking its foes over, and then pounding them 

 with its hoofs until they are dead. 



But when the milder weather begins to set in, the Moose is 

 in constant danger. The warm sun faUing on the snow produces 

 a rather curious effect. The frozen surface only partially melts, 



