ABSENCE OF ANTLERS 



297 



ments of one in the shape of a white ligamentous cord. Mr. 

 Forbes has especially dwelt upon the hkeness of the brain to that 

 of Capreohis. The female has four teats, and produces three to 



six young at a time 



Fig. 155. — Water Deer. Ilydropotes inermis. 



Alces machlis, the Elk or Moose, is a circumpolar species with 

 palmated antlers and is of large size. The young are unspotted. 

 This animal is the largest of the Deer tribe. The aspect of 

 this creature is by no means that of a Deer, the long, thick, 

 and rather prehensile upper lip not by any means suggesting 

 the family to which it belongs ; the legs, too, are ungainly 

 through their unusual length. The Moose has a curious method 

 of protecting himself from Wolves. Instead of moving about 

 during heavy snowstorms, and being thus on the heavy ground 

 an easy prey for these agile enemies, the animal forms what is 

 known as a " Moose yard." An area of ground is kept well 



