744 A general Review of the Species of [No. 117. 



with so much strength as to offend the ear. The cry of the European 

 Stag, when compared to it, is dull and tame, though not deficient in 

 strength." On one occasion I have remarked a cry, which, though not 

 loud, corresponded otherwise with F. Cuvier's description, from an 

 isolated female, which seemed to express ennui^ or impatience of soli- 

 tude : the only sound I have ever heard the male emit, is a disagreeable 

 snuffling noise, expressive of menace, which it often makes during 

 the rutting season. Dr. Richardson further adds, after Hearne, that 

 " the flesh of the Wapiti is coarse, and but little prized by the natives, 

 principally on account of its fat being hard like suet, [as, indeed, in all 

 other Cervid(B, except the Elk.] It seemed to me to want the juiciness 

 of venison, and to resemble dry, but small-grained beef. The hide, 

 when made into leather, is said not to turn hard after being wet, and, 

 in this respect, to excel Moose or Rein Deer leather."* 



Dr. Godman remarks, that " the Wapiti is shy and retiring. The 

 moment the air is tainted with the odour of his enemy, his head is 

 raised with energy, his ears rapidly turn in every direction to catch the 

 sound, and his large glistening eye expresses the most eager attention. 

 Soon as the approaching hunter is fairly descried, the Elk bounds 

 along for a few paces, as if trying his strength for flight, stops, turns 

 half round, and scans his pursuer with a steady gaze ; then, throwing 

 back his lofty antlers, he springs from the ground and advances with 

 a velocity that soon leaves the object of his dread far out of sight. In 

 the rutting season, however, this animal assumes a more warlike and 

 threatening aspect. He is neither so easily put to flight, nor can he 

 be approached with impunity, although he may have been wounded. 

 His hoofs and horns are then employed with full effect, and the lives 

 of men and dogs are endangered by coming within his reach." An 

 instance of this is recorded by Major Long and Mr. Say, wherein a 

 wounded animal " turned furiously upon the foremost of his pursuers, 

 who only saved himself by springing into a thicket, which was impassa- 

 ble to the Elk, whose enormous antlers becoming so entangled in 

 the vines as to be covered to the tips, he was thus held fast and blind- 

 folded, and was despatched without difiiculty." It can only be 

 wondered that such cases are not of much more frequent occurrence. 



* Fauna Americana-horealis, and Hearne's Narrative. 



