GILPIN OX THE MA3LMALTA OF XOVA SCOTIA. 119 



and drawings, compared tliem with two young Elks from Xorway 

 belonging to the Prince of Wales. In his opinion given in the 

 ^' Field " newspaper they are identical, and there are no specific 

 differences between them. In the absence of all osteological 

 differences bv the Royal Colleae of Suri>'eons, we must admit 

 them identical, as Capt Hardy's opportunities of investigation, 

 and accuracy, as a naturalist, are second to none. (I m,ay here be 

 allowed to de|)lore the loss our Institute has met with in this 

 accomplished gentleman returning home.) Granting them identi- 

 cal, we must return to the old specific of Linngeus, " 6^/ces," he 

 being the first describer. Hamilton Smith has recently subdivided 

 the genus " ce?'vii5," also Linnaeus, into various sub genera, and 

 given the name alces to that in which the Elk or Moose is placed. 

 This has been allowed by all modern naturalists ; and thus, not- 

 withstanding the alliteration, by the rule lately adopted by all 

 nations, we must call him alee alces, instead of cervus alces of 

 Linnseus. Nomenclature and classification are subjects too profound 

 for field naturalists to do more than follo'w those whose profound 

 studies and enormous collections entitle them to be heard on the 

 subject. 



I have now, as far as one paper would admit, studied this 

 great boreal Deer existing in our forests, — his appearance Avhcn 

 young, and adult, — his habits, and his wide spread habitat in 

 America, and his identity with the Elk of the ancients and Euroi^e. 

 I have sketched lightly the various forms of his chase and caj>ture, 

 and in all this shunned authors, and given my own persoiij-.l 

 experience. We have found him differing from all known forms by 

 the shortness of the neck, and the length of his cannon bones. Ho 

 has again resemblances to the equatorial forms of the Elephant in 

 the short neck, — to the Giraffe in the length of leg, — and perhaps to 

 the Tapir in the prehensile elongated upper lip : but no affinity to 

 either of them. It is a form adapted to be always wading, and 

 here ag-ain he reminds us of the stilts or lon^ leo:»:ed wadins: 

 birds. In summer the shallow lakes and swamps are his abode. 

 In winter his long cannon bones are thrust into the snow. In both 

 places they serve him in seeking his food. An anatomical investi- 

 gation easily shows how the great weight of his horns are so easily 



