318 
The hind hoofs of the moose are of beautiful formation, and adorned with 
horny spurs, or points, which make a loud clattering noise when the animal is 
running. 
The hind legs straddle when the muovse is at full speed, to prevent treading 
on the tore-feet. | 
The moose subsists by browsing, grazing being rendered almost impossible 
on account of the long forelegs and short neck. 
The long forelegs enable th> animal to reach far up into the trees and bring 
them down, whilst the tender branches are plucked by the ‘huge lip and carried 
to the mouth. The leaves and small branches of young trees, such as birch, 
maple, and mountain ash, form the staple diet of the moose. 
The horns are striking on account of their enormous dimensions. The young 
bull grows two knobs about two inches long in its first season; when a year old 
the knobs develop into spikes about six iuches long, and remuin on the head until 
late in spring when they drop off and are replaced by long forked horns. In the 
fourth year the horns branch forward and become palmated; in the fifth and 
sixth years they grow triangular, whilst the palmated portions end in points, the 
whole resembling an expanded hand. After the fifth year the most perfectly 
developed antlers are produced, the horns not unfrequently measuring five feet 
from root to extremity The horns are cast annually after the second year, in 
the months of December and January, but so rapid is the new growth that a 
complete new set is formed by the August following. As with the deer, the horns 
_ are in velvet during the summer months, and are so tender that they may be 
sliced with a knife. When developed the antlers not unfrequently attain a 
weight of sixty pounds. 
The cow carries her young nine months,.and brings forth generally in the . 
month of May. 
In the first and second year one calf is produced at a birth, and after that 
two. | 
The moose suffers greatly in warm weather from flies, and most of its time 
is spent in the water, where it often remains for hours so deeply immersed that 
only the nose is visible above the surface. It reaches regularly under the water 
to feed on the lily roots, disappearing entirely the while, thus giving rise to the — 
Indian belief that it can remain all day under water. 
The moose swims rapidly and crosses the water from shore to shore with mar- 
vellous swiftness. 
The skin is valuable for tanning purposes, but it is of no value whatever in 
the fur trade. It is tough and enduring, and largely used for the manufacture 
of moccasins. : 
The rutting season commences in September, and during this period the bull 
feeds but little for days ata stretch. He roams the forest proud and defiant, 
eager to do battle with all comers. His roar resounds through the forest, and is 
answered by the wild long cali of the cow. When the rutting is over the bull 
presents another appearance. He is no longer a terror to his foes, but mopes 
along, gaunt and lean, with head lowered and staggering limbs. His fall cam- 
paign has told upon him, and he goes home to his winter haunts to recuperate 
and grow strong again. 
An indiscriminate slaughter of this noble animal has lonz threatened 
the total extinction of the race, and it is probable that the time is not far distant 
when the moose, like the buffalo, will be seen no more in Canada. 
