UNGULATA. 



57 



" F. Cuvier's comparison of the cry of this animal to the pronuncia- 

 tion of the vowels a-o-u, is by no means inaccurate, especially if we 

 suppose the sounds so shrill as almost to resemble whistling, by which 

 name it is commonly alluded to by residents and hunters. There is 

 a popular notion here that it is produced through the lachrymal sac, 

 which of course is erroneous. 



" The flesh of the elk is highly prized in California, and preferred 

 to venison, notwithstanding statements of authors. F. Cuvier's dimen- 

 sions of this animal seem to be too small. A specimen killed, ap- 

 peared to me as fully equalling if not exceeding a cow in height and 

 bulk. The back in this specimen was rubbed and sore from contact 

 with the horns, carried backwards. Tail very short. It was not in 

 my power to make an accurate measurement." 



2. Cervus macrotis, Sat/. — The Mule Deer. 



Cervus macrotis, Say, Long's Exp. II, p. 88 (1823). 

 Atlas, Mammalogy, Plate X. Adult. 



This species is now well established, though it does not appear to 

 have been known to naturalists before the Expedition of Lewis and 

 Clarke, and even since, has been frequently confounded with the pre- 

 ceding and other species. It is apparently more an exclusive inhabi- 

 tant of the interior of the continent than others. 



No specimen of the mule deer is in the present collection, nor does 

 it appear to have been met with in the course of the voyage of the 

 Expedition, but we cite Mr. Peale's description and remarks at length 

 as being a detailed account of this species, the materials for which he 

 evidently derives from observations made during Long's Expedition, 

 to which he was attached. It will be observed, that he especially 

 states the specimen described by him as the same which served for 

 the description of Mr. Say, who was also attached to Major Long's 

 party. The specimen alluded to, was, we believe, formerly in Peale's 

 Museum in Philadelphia : 



" Rather larger than Cervus virginianus, and having more of the 

 general aspect of G. canadensis, destitute of the black submaxillary 

 marks which are always conspicuous in C. Leioisii and C. virginianus. 



15 



