1903. ] ON THE ELK IN NORWAY. 133 
Of the three ‘ Research’ specimens of this species, two came 
from the Mesoplankton, one from a haul of 480 to O fathoms: 
no examples were captured at the surface, unless some of the 
larvee attributed to Thysanoessa belonged to this species; this is 
unlikely, because in that case the small size of the eyes would 
probably have betrayed them. 
9, On the Present Condition and Habits of the Elk in 
Norway. By H. J. Exwss, F.R.S. 
[ Received January 19, 1903. ] 
(Text-figures 18-26.) 
So little seems to be known by naturalists concerning the actual 
condition of this remarkable animal, that I think some of the 
observations I have made during six Septembers, which I have 
spent entirely in the fascinating sport of Elk-hunting, may be 
worth recording in the Proceedings of this Society. 
My experience has been gained entirely in the provinces of 
North and South Trondhjem, where the Elk is more numerous 
than perhaps in any other part of Europe, and where it seems to 
attain a greater size and vigour, if one may judge by the develop- 
ment of the horns (see text-fig. 18, p. 134) than anywhere else in 
Scandinavia. ‘ 
I have also derived much valuable information from Capt. Gerard 
Ferrand, who was, I think, the first Englishman to hunt regularly 
in the same districts, and whose experience continued almost 
without a break for 20 years from 1865, This has been invaluable 
in confirming, and to some extent modifying, my own observations 
and what I have been able to learn from the natives of these 
provinces. 
Forty years ago the Elk was a much scarcer animal in Central 
and Northern Norway than it is now, or rather was ten years ago, 
since which time it has probably decreased in numbers. At that 
time it was hunted for its meat alone by the proprietors of the 
regions where it occurred, and in the large tracts of forest 
belonging to the Government it was not allowed to be shot until 
1880. Up till that time very few foreigners knew what magni- 
ficent sport Elk-hunting was, and as the natives preferred the 
meat of cows to that of bulls, which, after the rutting-season 
begins, is extremely rank and hard, the bulls increased in numbers 
and were able to grow to a size and age which they rarely 
attain now. 
The legal season for killing Elk was formerly much longer 
than it is now, and in North Trondhjem lasted for three mone: 
Then it was cut down to 6 weeks, from the lst September till the 
15th October, and now has been still further reduced to a month 
or 3 weeks in some provinces, whilst in Sweden only 15 days are 
allowed during which the animals can legally be killed. 
