THE MOOSE. 431 



or any similar conveniences. The last formation of this wonderful 

 process is that of the burrs or pearls, which surround or clasp the 

 base of each horn. They are also of rapid growth, and soon per- 

 form their oflSce, which is by their tightening pressure to enclose 

 and compress the blood-vessels, so that in a short space of time 

 through their instrumentality the whole circulation is stopped, and 

 as a consequence the sensitive vessels lose vitality, shrink up, and 

 leave the antlers pure, naked horn, without pulsation or feeling. 



The horns do not reach their full perfection in their first or 

 second growth, but as a rule go on annually improving until the 

 sixth or seventh year, when generally the number of the antlers 

 attain their maximum. Their length, direction, and curvature, 

 often vary, and it sometimes happens that there are more or less 

 on one side than the other. The development of the horns is 

 intimately connected with the vigour of the animal. 



The Moose or Elk (Alces malchis), which is a grotesque-looking 

 animal, is the largest member of the deer family — and in fact the 

 largest mammal of Europe and America, for the elk of North 

 Europe and Asia and the moose of America appear specifically to 

 be the same. 



Like all other American animals, their numbers are diminishing 

 with fearful rapidity, but not at such a rapid rate as was notice- 

 able a few years ago, before legislation in Canada and the United 

 States had given them some protection. The adoption of this 

 wise course has probably to a great extent retarded their extermi- 

 nation, for such reckless slaughter as that which occurred not 

 very long ago in the province of New Brunswick, where many 

 hundreds of these splendid animals were killed merely for their 

 hides, while their carcasses were left to rot in the places where 

 they fell, would, if the practice had extended, soon have made the 

 moose extinct. 



" To the early settlers in the States of Maine, Vermont, and New 

 Hampshire, and the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick," 

 remarks the writer of an article on this subject in an American 

 magazine, " the flesh of the moose was the main-stay, and his hide 

 furnished them with serviceable clothing. At the present time, with 

 the exception of Maine, the moose are almost extinct in the Eastern 



