( 35 ) 



To the inhabitants of the colder regions the Ellc furniflies a principal and 

 luxurious article of food. The flefh is regarded as extremely nutritive and 

 pleafant. That of the Moofe-Deer, or American variety, is reckoned the fineil 

 venifon in the world, and the nofe is numbered amongfl: the greateft delica- 

 cies that America affords. The tongue is alfo in great eftimation. In confe- 

 quence of this fuperiority of its flefh as an article of diet, it is hunted over 

 the plains and fnowy defcrts of the northern regions, and eveiy method is 

 devifed by which the animal may meet its deflruftion. It is alfo faid to be 

 attacked, and not unfrequently deftroyed, by wolves and bears. It^ is a mild 

 and harmlefs animal, and is principally fiipported by brouzing the boughs of 

 trees amongft the vaft and dreary forefts of the frozen zone. 



I Ihould not difmifs the fubjeft of the Elk without mentioning that the enor- 

 mous foffil horns which have been fo frequently found in Ireland and otiaer 

 parts of Europe, and which have generally been attributed to the Moofe or 

 American Elk, are now no longer regarded as belonging to that animal ; fince 

 on an accurate examination they are found to differ both in figure and pro- 

 portion, from thofe of the Elk, whether of Europe or America. 



S I M I A 



