ORNAMENTAL COAT. 183 
p- 127) : ‘‘ The young deer (Caribou) are dappled on the side and 
flank with light sandy spots.” “Wherever I find the subject al- 
luded to I find the spots mentioned, so we may conclude it is 
general if not universal. The Caribou is generally admitted to 
be among the oldest living representatives of the deer in this 
country. Their fossil remains have been found associated with 
the extinct mammals, which is certainly strong evidence of their 
ancient existence. It may be —and yet we cannot affirm that it 
is so — that this ornamentation of the young is fading out and be- 
coming more rare or less distinct with time, but we must re- 
member that the spots are more frequently found on the young 
Caribou than the moose, and yet the same amount of evidence is 
not produced of the great antiquity of the latter as of the 
former. The glandular system on the hind legs is the same in 
both, and this is constantly suggesting itself to me as connected 
with the antiquity of the races— that their ancestors long ages 
ago had the metatarsal gland, as we see it on all our other deer, 
except the smallest, and has in the course of time disappeared, 
whilst the tarsal gland, which is nearly dormant, alone remains, 
and that this too in the course of time will finally die out and 
disappear. I must admit that the want of facts in support of 
this suggestion leaves it scarcely worth the space it occupies ; but 
we all at times admit convictions, for the support of which the 
absolute proofs are inadequate, but then we may be permitted 
to state them as conjectures, honestly admitting the want of 
proof. 
The young Elk or Wapiti is always provided with the spotted 
dress. The spots are large but not very profuse. They are of 
a dull white, on a yellowish tawny ground. These spots are 
found on the flanks, sides, and thighs, and a line on the neck. 
They are not arranged with any definite system or order, but 
seem to be laid on rather carelessly and as if by accident. 
Neither the ground or the spots have that brilliancy which at- 
tracts admiration. Still the spots are no doubt ornamental and 
are always noticed with pleasure by the observer who looks at 
the Elk fawn for the first time. Half a dozen, by the sides of 
their dams, with high heads and their ears thrown forward and 
their eyes glistening, looking at the stranger, as if influenced 
partly by fear and partly by curiosity, form a pretty sight 
among the trees, which one, though not a naturalist, cannot but 
admire. If when he turns away he is unable to tell you the 
ground color of the fawn or the dam, he will be sure to tell you 
of the spots. 
