CHAPTER V. 



DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ANIMALS RUMINANTS. 



THE MOOSE, OR ELK. 



'E shall not introduce the animals we are about to 



inspect according to a systematic classification, 



but bring them forward as they appear to the eye 



of the traveller or sportsman, giving the largest and the most 



important the first place. Our object is rather to view the 



characteristic animals of each region we visit than to attempt 



a scientific examination of the whole animated kingdom of 



the world — a task which must be left to those who have far 



more time at their disposal than we possess. 



We will begin, therefore, with the animals belonsfin^ to 



the ruminantia — the eighth in natural order ; taking next 



the carnivora — the fifth ; and the smaller rodentia — the 



sixth ; while the birds and reptiles will follow in due course. 



Among these, however, we shall select only the most notable 



and curious ; for although North America does not teem with 



animal life in the same degree as the southern half of the 



continent, were we to attempt to introduce all those existing 



in it we could give but a meagre account of each. 

 [379; G 



