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 Zodlogical 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 arrange- 
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 forward, extends ante- 
riorly on the inside of the hock for one inch and three lines. 
