THE ELK. 



mane, of a light brown colour ; there is a fmall excrefcence under the throat, 

 from whence grows a long tuft of coarfe black hair ; the withers are very- 

 high and the legs long ; the hoofs are much divided, and the tail is Ihort, 

 dulky above and white beneath. 



Winter, when the ground is covered with fnow, is the feafon in which 

 the American Indians prepare to hunt thefe animals, more efpecially when 

 the fun begins to melt the furface of the fnow, which at night is frozen into 

 an icy cruft, too weak to fupport the weight of the creature, whofe progrefs 

 is confequently retarded by it, the poor animal linking and plunging at every 

 Hep it takes, and cutting its feet with the Iharp ice : its lofty horns are 

 likewife entangled in the branches of the trees, which is an additional 

 impediment to its flight ; they are, however, broken with eafe by the itrength 

 of the animal, whofe track may be readily traced by the fcattered fragments 

 of them, fome even as thick as a man's thigh. Notwithstanding thele 

 obftacles, the chafe generally lafts during the whole day, and fometimes 

 continues for two or even three days together. The perfeverance of the 

 Indian, however, generally fucceeds, who is aflifled in his purfuit by the 

 broad fnow-lhoes he wears on his feet, which prevent him from linking 

 in the fnow. As foon as he comes near enough, he darts his lance, with 

 unerring aim, which, flicking in the poor animal, excites him to redouble 

 his exertions, and diftance his purfuer. His itrength, however, again failing 

 him, he is obliged to ilacken his pace, and expofe himfelf to a frelh wound 

 from his purfuer, which produces a fecond momentary exertion, till, tired 

 and fpent with the lofs of blood, he is compelled to fubmit to his fate, and 

 becomes an eafy prey to the hunter, who is amply rewarded for his exertions 

 by his flelh, which is very well tailed and nourhhing. 



In Canada they often take them in the following manner. Before -the 

 frolt fets in, the natives affemble in large bodies, in their canoes, on the lakes, 

 and form an extenlive femicircle, each end of which touches the fhore ; at 

 the fame time another party of hunters, with their Dogs, encompafs a large 

 tracl of land. The Dogs, which are trained to the fport, are let loofe, and 

 direct their courfe towards the water, barking and crying as they run : 



