( 34 ) 



Elk, mention the great length and thickneC; of t!ie upper lip. In the fpeci- 

 men liowever from which this figure was taken, and which was lately brought 

 over from Sweden, and regarded as a fpecimen of uncommon perfedtion and 

 beauty, no appearance of this kind is vifible. I think it ncceflliry to obferve 

 that the figure of the Elk in the natural hiftory of the Count de Buffon is 

 fuch as to convey no juft idea of the animal, but in the Arftic Zoology of 

 Mr. Pennant is a much fuperior reprefentation. 



This animal when fuddenly difturbed, and endeavouring to make its efcape, 

 is fometimes obferved to fall down, as if deprived for Ibme moments of the 

 power of motion. Whether this be really owing (as has frequently been ima- 

 o-ined) to an epileptic fit, or whether merely arifing from fear, or fuddeu 

 furprife, as is fometimes the cafe in horfes, or from what other caufe is perhaps 

 not very eafy to determine. The fad however is fo well authenticated as to 

 lay claim to our belief. Whatever be the caufe of the phjenomenon itfelf, it 

 has given rife to the popular fuperftidon of attributing to the hoofs of the Elk 

 a very oreat and powerful virtue as an ami- epileptic medicine; and it was once 

 imagined that the Elk had a power of curing itfelf of its own diforder, or of 

 preventing an approaching fit, by fcratching its ear with its hoof. 



The hair of the Elk is remarkable thick, ftrong, and elaftic. Its ufual 

 mode of progreffion is (to ufe the words of an accurate naturalift) " a high, 

 fliamblino- trot," a pace which is the more peculiarly fuited to the creature on 

 account of the remarkable length of its legs. The form of the body is thick, fliort, 

 and ftrong : the neck very ftiort, and rifing up behind into a fort of ftif- 

 fened mane : the head very large, and the tail moft extremely fliort. The 

 general colour of the animal is a deep iron-gray. When attacked, the Elk 

 defends itfelf by ftriking violently forwards with his fore-feet, in the ufe of 

 which he is fo dextrous as eafily to kill a dog, (and fometimes even a wolf ) 

 with a fingle blow. 



To 



