Habits of Moose ', Reindeer, and extinct Elk. 85 



moose is often found in winter within hearing of the wood- 

 man's axe, but many barrens formerly frequented by the 

 other are now entirely deserted since tree felling com- 

 menced in their vicinity. 



The gradual extermination of the Moose and Reindeer 

 through human agency, and the disadvantages under which 

 they now compete with enemies, contrast in some way with 

 the disappearance of several congeners during prehistoric 

 periods, more especially that noble representative the Irish 

 Elk. Although we have no well-established data to show 

 that the former preceded man in North America, still no 

 one knows what the future may reveal. But America had 

 also its gigantic stag, the dimensions of which even exceeded 

 those of the Hibernian ruminant/ so that both continents 

 stand in similar relation with reference to these extant and 

 lost species ; possibly there may have been a closer relation- 

 ship between the two extinct deer than is at present shown ; 

 as regards the moose and European elk, it was the opinion 

 of Cuvier long ago that they are identical.f When we con- 

 sider the disadvantages wherewith the moose contends in 

 regard to man and climate, it need create small surprise that 



the woodland reindeer was then a native of Prince Edward Island, and 

 hunted by the Indians. The walrus was also said to be exceedingly 

 common on the island. Now both animals are extinct, indeed neither has 

 been known to exist there since the notice referred to. Indian refuse - 

 heaps, containing oysters, clams, and bones of these animals, were common 

 until of late years, and furnished manure and top-dressing to the settlers. 

 Prince Edward Island seems to have been a favourite Indian fishing 

 station, and their rude stone and bone implements are still met with, and 

 have been found in conjunction with human skeletons. A body enveloped 

 in spruce bark, and surrounded by war implements of flint and bone, 

 among others the club-shaped greenstone tool, No. 7, already noticed, 

 was discovered there some years since. 



* C. Am.erica.nus fossilis, much resembling the Wapiti, was found by 

 Leidy in the post-tertiary deposits of Natchez. — Trans. Amer. Phil. Soc. 

 Philad., etc. 



t Ossemens fossiles, tome vi., p. 132. 



