WAPITI. 341 



long, and edged like a blunt sword ; the horn of this 

 magnificent head was granulated. In another fine 

 specimen the bay tine grew downwards, thus protecting 

 the neck on each side. 



The most interesting, perhaps, were the antlers of a 

 very fine old stag ; these were extremely thick, every 

 point broken off by fighting, and had a small hook 

 which grew from the back of one of these horns. Ex- 

 crescences, knobs, and small hooks are seen on or at the 

 base of the tines. 



Heads from Oregon and the Western States have the 

 antlers shorter, thicker, and wider apart than those from 

 the more eastern parts-; the horns are heavier at top, 

 the tines shorter, and the colour deeper. 



The value of a good pair of horns is from £3 to 

 ^9 15s., according to perfectness of horn, skull, etc., 

 and demand. About twenty to forty pairs are imported 

 into London annually. 



The Wapiti is found " in dense forests, in boggy 

 swamps, and amongst thick pines " (Field). It trots 

 very fast, but when it breaks into a gallop it is soon 

 exhausted. 



Wapiti is an Indian name, meaning " stinking head." 

 The female brings forth one young once a year. 



From 80,000 to 100,000 skins are imported annually, 

 and are made into excellent leather. 



Eichardson writes, "North American Fauna," p. 252 : 

 " The flesh of the Wapiti is coarse, and is little prized 

 by the natives, principally on account of its fat being 

 hard like suet. - It seemed to me to want the juiciness 

 of venison, and to resemble dry but small-grained 

 beef." 



A closely-allied variety or species is Luhdorf s Deer 

 (Cervus luhdorfi) ; this Deer interbreeds freely with the 



