COMPARISONS. 



Having given a description of each of the species of onr deer 

 with their characteristics more or less minute, we may find it 

 profitable to enter into more detail under different headings, by 

 which we may the more completely understand each, and by 

 comparison perceive their similitudes and their differences. If 

 in doing this we find it necessary or convenient to repeat some- 

 thing which has already been said, we may find a recompense 

 for it by having the same facts presented in different lights and 

 in different connections, and thus the better appreciate their im- 

 portance and fix them the more permanently in the memory. 

 Indeed much of the value of our investigations must consist in 

 comparing the observed facts relating to each species, with those 

 of all the others, and to do this we must classify them and bring 

 them into as close juxtaposition as practicable. 



FORM AND SIZE. 



It may be proper that we commence the comparison of the 

 different species of deer of which I treat by examining their 

 respective physical configurations and sizes. In pursuing the 

 plan hitherto adopted I will commence with the largest, — the 

 Moose. 



Our Moose is not only the largest of the American deer, but it 

 is the largest living representative of the family as yet discovered 

 in any part of the world. In comparatively recent times a much 

 larger species existed in Ireland, whose fossil remains have been 

 found complete and are now exhibited as interesting relics of 

 foruier times, but our Moose considerably exceeds in size the 

 same species in Europe, the Scandinavian elk ; whether he 

 has there degenerated in size, may be an open question, but I 

 think the weight of evidence shows that he was formerly of a 

 larger size than he is now, although individual specimens still 

 are sometimes met with as large as the average of our Moose. 



This animal is the most ungainly in form of all the deer tribe. 

 Its long head and short neck, its long legs and short body, its 

 lack of symmetry in almost every line, leave no room for admira- 



