THE GLANDS. 251 



ley Menagerie," describes this gland as present in the Swedish 

 elk, which I have found by careful study to be specifically identi- 

 cal with our moose. In his specific description of C. alces he 

 declares its presence in these words, " hind legs have the tuft of 

 hair rather above the middle of the metatarsus." He had pre-- 

 viously stated to the Zoological Society at the meeting to which I 

 have referred, that he had examined the elk at the British Mu- 

 seum and " it appeared to have very distinct tufts on the inner 

 side of the hocks, and others also on the outside of the metatar- 

 sus about one third of its length from the heel," though of the 

 latter tufts he says he was by no means certain on account of the 

 age and state of the specimen. 



I have been to no small pains to satisfy myself by a personal 

 examination, and find that there is no gland or tuft of hair on 

 the outside of the hind leg of the Scandinavian elk, so that it 

 exactly resembles our Moose in this regard. The best observer 

 is liable to be misled when examining mounted specimens, es- 

 pecially of quadrupeds. 



There are some features of the tarsal gland found on the inside 

 of the hock, which are common to all, which may be first men- 

 tioned. All are entirely overgrown with hairs which are ele- 

 vated to a greater or less angle from the skin, and more than the 

 surrounding coat. 



Except on C. alces, the rise or elevation of the hairs com- 

 mences at the upper and smaller end of the tuft, at which point 

 the hairs are longest and extend down to the large end of the 

 tuft, which is the highest, and terminates rather abruptly. The 

 skin under this tuft is occupied with the gland composed of secret- 

 ing ducts, with their canals extending to the surface, now par- 

 tially obliterated and nearly dormant. The skin presents to the 

 casual observer a spongy appearance, of twice the thickness of 

 the surrounding skin. A peculiar muscular and nervous ai-range- 

 ment enables and prompts the animal, whenever excited by fear 

 or hostility, to elevate the hairs of this tuft, so that they stand 

 out at right angles to the skin. 



On our Moose and on the Swedish Elk, the tuft of hair cover- 

 ing the tarsal gland differs in size, position, and color from that 

 on any of the other species. It commences at a point at the pos- 

 terior extremity of the hock : from this point a seam slightly 

 elevated, caused by the meeting of the short hairs which ap- 

 proach from above and below inclining forwai'd, extends ante- 

 riorly on the inside of the hock for one inch and three lines. 



