98 CLASS MAMMALIA. 



trivial distinctions which may, after all, gradually merge 

 from one into the other, serve only, we think, to establish 

 that difference which exists in Europe, between the Stag of 

 the Ardennes, or Brandhirsch, and the Red Stag of Eng- 

 land. The living specimens of the animals in question 

 require to be scrupulously examined side by side, to ground 

 a final sentence on the subject. 



The Wapiti resembles the Common Stag in nearly all his 

 proportions, but his size is far superior, being at the 

 shoulder from four feet four to four feet eight inches* ; the 

 superiority of bulk appearing chiefly in the magnitude of 

 the body. The Hind is similar to the Stag with inferior 

 proportions : the colour of both in the summer season is 

 fulvous-brown on the back ; a black spot on each side of 

 the corners of the mouth descends on the under lip, round 

 the eye brown, and down the face darker; the neck also is 

 darker than the body, being mixed with a purplish-brown 

 tinton those parts; the limbs are anteriorly dark, and lighter 

 fawn behind. Under the throat long hairs form a sort of 

 dewlap, also darker in colour ; the buttocks and tail are pale 

 fawn colour, separated from the brown of the thigh by a dark 

 streak ; the tail is short, but varies fron two to four inches 

 in length t. The suborbital sinus is long, open, and 

 naked next the eye ; the ears are long, lined with white 

 hair within, and dark coloured externally. Inside of the 

 limbs and the belly the hair is close and buff coloured. 

 The specimens seen in Europe appear somewhat different 



* These dimensions appear superior to M. F. Cuvier's and Dr. 

 Harlan's ; but both these gentlemen give the French pouce, and not 

 the English inch. 



t This difference appears to be a probable further distinction be- 

 tween the two varieties. All the true Wapiti's I have seen, thir- 

 teen in number, had it very short. The Canadian, a stuffed speci- 

 men, was in bad condition, and the living gave me no opportunity 

 to investigate this character. 



