U N G U L A T A. 



55 



5. Order UNGULATA.— The Hoofed Mammals. 



1. Family CERVIDiE.— The Deers, Elks, Moose, &c. 

 1. Genus CERVUS, Linnceus, Syst. Nat. I, p. 92 (1766). 



1. Cervus americanus [Jefferson). — The American Elk. 



Alces americanus, Jefferson, Notes on Virginia, p. 87 (London, 1787). 

 Cervus stroiujyioceros, ScHREBER, Saugthiere, V, p. 1074 (1836) ? 

 Cervus major, Ord. Guthrie's Geog. II, p. 292 (1815). 

 Elaphus canadensis (Briss.), De Kay, Nat. Hist. New York, I, p. 118. 



Schreb. Saugth. V, Plate CCXLVII. Audubon and Bachman, Quad. 

 N. A. Plate LXII5 oct. ed. Ill, Plate LXXVI. 



This fine species, well known as the largest of the North American 

 Cervidce, is frequently mentioned by the naturalists of the Expedition 

 as having been observed in Oregon and California. In the latter 

 country it appears to be especially abundant, more so, perhaps, than in 

 any other portion of the United States. Mr. Peale's remarks on this 

 animal are as follows : 



" ' Wapiti,' ' Wawaskiss,' ' Waskeesews,' ' Wawaskeesho,' and as 

 many other Indian names are applied to this animal, as there are 

 tribes of Indians speaking different dialects of language, in the wide 

 belt of country which it inhabits. Elk is the name universally adopted 

 by all who speak the English language in the same districts, where 

 the moose [Cervus alces, L.), known by the name of elk in Northern 

 Europe, is seldom, if ever, found. 



" It still exists on the upper branches of the Susquehanna River, 

 and thence westwardly, may occasionally be found in all favorable 

 situations, in greater or less numbers, to the Pacific Ocean. Those 

 observed by the members of the Expedition on the mountains south 

 of the Columbia River, were of unusual size and in considei'able num- 

 bers. 



