THE ETJMINANT OEDEE. 305 



Large Stag of Canada, or Wapiti {Cervus canadensk). Thas 

 animal bears some resemblance to the Elk, wbose name tbe 

 ignorant gave it. It is easily tamed, and soon becomes used to 

 confinement. The North American Indians catch it in snares 

 when yoimg, and rear it with care. At matTirity they harness it to 

 their sledges dui-ing the winter, and its powerful frame enables 

 it to draw heavy loads. Their flesh, which is excellent, forms a 

 large portion of the Red Man's sustenance. 



The Virginian Deer [Cariacus virginianiis) is common in the 

 United States. There it is the favourite animal of chase. It is 

 larger than our Fallow Deer, and is excessively abundant in 

 some portion of that country ; but so many of them are annually 

 slaughtered that, before a hundred years are past, says Audubon, 

 this animal will have become an extraordinary raritj'. Thus, on 

 the part of man, we always iind the same thoughtlessness and the 

 same abuse of the good gifts of Providence ! Their death is 

 generally accomplished by the hunter stalking on them unawares, 

 when they are shot, or driving them from cover when their 

 favourite passes, which are easily distinguished by the expe- 

 rienced, are guarded by marksmen. 



The Indian continent and Malay Islands produce several very 

 remarkable species of Stags. First let us mention the Samboo, or 

 Aristotle Deer {Rusa Aristofelis), so called (Fig. 119) because it was 

 first described by that celebrated philosopher of antiquity ; then 

 the Axis {Axis maculata), a very elegant animal with a fawn- 

 coloured coat speckled with white, and horns furnished with only 

 two branches; and lastly, the Porcine Deer {Hyelaphus po)-cinus), 

 which owes its name to its small size and massive shape. 



In Bengal, these two last-named species are reared in a domesti- 

 cated state, and fattened for the table. They readily reproduce 

 their kind in the warm and temperate parts of Europe, as has been 

 proved by the various specimens which are now living in the 

 Jardin des Plantes. It would be a very desirable thing if they 

 could be acclimatised in some of the European forests, and made 

 to furnish food for the people. 



The Fallow Deer {Dama vulrjaris), Fig. 120, holds a middle 

 place in size between the Red Deer and the Roe. Its height, at the 

 withers, is little more than ten hands. It may be easily recog- 

 nised by its horns, which are round at the base, and pahnated 



X 



