540 UNGULATA. 



not a gallop. It has been known to trot uninterruptedly over a number 

 of fallen tree trunks five feet in thickness. 



The Elk swims with great facility. During the summer it submerges 

 its whole body, except the head, and in this way preserves itself from the 

 stings of the horse-fly : thus it passes the greater portion of the day, 

 while it principally subsists upon aquatic herbage. It is also partial to 

 damp forests and marshy localities. This animal feeds off the ground 

 with difficulty, on account of the shortness of its neck ; in order the 

 better to reach the grass, it kneels or straddles its fore-legs. It prefers, 

 however, to browse off the young shoots, buds, and bark of trees, thus 

 furnishing hunters with sure proofs of its vicinity. When the ground is 

 hard and will bear the weight of so large an animal, the hunters are led 

 a very long and severe chase before they come up with their prey ; but 

 when the snow lies soft and thick on the ground, the creature soon suc- 

 cumbs to its lighter antagonists, who invest themselves in snow-shoes 

 and scud over the soft snow with a speed that speedily overcomes that 

 of the poor Elk, which sinks floundering into the deep snow-drifts at 

 every step, and is soon worn out by its useless efforts. 



The skin of the Elk is extremely thick, and has been manufactured 

 into clothing that would resist a sword-blow, and repel an ordinary 

 pistol-ball. The mad emperor of Russia, Paul, carried on a regular war 

 of annihilation against the Elks, as he considered elk-skin the only mate- 

 rial fit to be made into breeches for his cavalry. The flesh is sometimes 

 dressed fresh, but is generally smoked like hams, and is much esteemed. 

 The large muzzle or upper lip is, however, the principal object of admi- 

 ration to the lovers of Elk-flesh, and is said to be rich and gelatinous 

 when boiled, resembling the celebrated green fat of the turtle. 



Among the Carnivora, the chief enemies of the Elk are the same as 

 those of the reindeer, namely, the bear, the wolf, and the glutton. 



The Elk, when captured young, may be completely tamed without 

 difficulty. It recognizes the person who takes care of it, and will follow 

 him like a dog, manifesting considerable joy on seeing him after a separa- 

 tion. It goes in harness as well as the Reindeer, and can thus perform 

 long journeys. For two or three centuries it was used for this purpose 

 in Sweden, but the custom is now given up. It is impossible to under- 

 stand why hardly any attempts have been made to domesticate such a 

 useful animal in those climates suited to it, and thus prevent the destruc- 

 tion which threatens to entirely extirpate the race. 



