2256 Quadrupeds. 



time ; but the feet of the bear were rubbed raw by the continuance of its exertions. 

 On another occasion, and when less experienced in the sport, he was shown a bear 

 sleeping in an exposed place under the fallen trunk of a tree. In order to approach 

 the beast without disturbing it, and to prevent the sharp crackling sound of the snow, 

 he took off his shoes and stockings, regardless of the intense cold ; and on coming up 

 to it, he found the animal so coiled up, and with its paws so drawn over its head, that 

 a decisive shot was impossible. He unhesitatingly poked it with the muzzle of his 

 piece, and on .its arousing, destroyed it by a well-directed shot in the head. His bar- 

 rack-room at a Gatchina is no baronial hall, but trophies and weapons of the chase 

 ornament its walls most characteristically. 



" The elk is a timid animal, and difficult of approach, frequenting the low and 

 swampy spots in the woods ; generally in small herds of seven or eight individuals. 

 The same process of l ringing ' and surrounding it is observed as with the bear ; but 

 the sport requires greater quickness and watchfulness. The speed of the elk is tre- 

 mendous ; and it is as much by the ear as by the eye that its progress is ascertained ; 

 the crashing of the branches, as he plunges through them, giving intimation of his 

 approach. It is extremely difficult on that account to hit him mortally, if at all ; for 

 a shot to hit him must be fired at least a yard ahead of him, and almost in anticipa- 

 tion of his appearance, as he crosses the narrow openings in the woods ; and if the 

 wound be not mortal at once, his great strength will enable him to cover an immense 

 distance before he falls, or, perhaps, to escape entirely ; but if struck on the head or 

 shoulder he rears his giant height in the air and falls backwards. A full-grown elk 

 will measure seventeen hands high. In the summer of 1839 one was caught alive, by 

 some boatmen, within two miles of St. Petersburg, as it was swimming across the 

 Neva to gain the Finnish side. 



" The extraordinary speed and powers of endurance of the elk led to its being used 

 for purposes of draught ; but, as criminals availed themselves of these advantages to 

 elude justice, either by positive escape, or by evading suspicion by transporting them- 

 selves, in an incredibly short space of time, to a distant part (like Turpin in his ride to 

 York), the employment of this animal is strictly prohibited both in Russia and 

 Sweden. 



" Of late years some small herds of the roebuck have been met with ; but my in- 

 formant tells me they have as yet been unmolested. 



" The lynx is not uncommon ; but, from its extreme cunning, it is rarely captured. 

 The only specimen I have seen was caught in a steel trap buried beneath the snow ; 

 but I have heard of their having been seen, during the severity of winter, in the gar- 

 dens of the suburbs of the city. It is the true Felis Lynx, and measures about three 

 feet in length ; the tail being from six to seven inches, and the tuft of hair at the tips 

 of the ears being very strongly defined. 



" The white fox ( Vulpes arcticus) of the arctic regions has been found once only ; 

 and Dr. Brandt of the Imperial Museum has told me that he considers that fact as 

 the most extraordinary one in natural history which has ever come within his know- 

 ledge ; as they have never been known so far south, and their nearest habitat — where 

 they are rare, even — is full one thousand miles from the place where this individual 

 was shot ; namely, in (58° or 70° of latitude. The animal in question was shot by a 

 peasant at Pilna, about thirty miles from St. Petersburg, in the depth of winter; and 

 in the subsequent summer another perfectly black animal was seen, which, being the 

 colour of the young, proves that the one killed wrts not a solitary specimen. 



