422 ACCOUNT OP ANIMALS. 



1 



north than about latitude 48° or 50°. The other . 

 kind is sometimes called the red deer or the elk. 

 They are about the size of a horse ; and their 

 bodies, are shaped like those of the jumping deer. 

 Their tails are remarkably short, being not more 

 than three inches long. Their hair, which is 

 three inches in length, is of a light grey colour, 

 and is as coarse as that of the horse. The horns 

 of these animals grow to a prodigious size, their 

 extreme points are about six feet asunder; and 

 they branch out before and behind, like those of 

 the common deer. Their bodies are well pro- 

 portioned, their air is noble ; and, on the whole, 

 they are the most majestick animal, that I have 

 ever seen. They shed their horns, in the month 

 of February or March ; and by August, the new 

 ones are nearly at their full growth. Notwith- 

 standing the size and strength of these animals, 

 and the means of defence with which they are 

 furnished, they are as timorous as a hare. Their 

 skins are very useful, and will dress as well as 

 that of a buck. They feed on grass and buds, 

 and the twigs of trees. Their flesh is tender, and 

 of a fine flavour. 



The moose is, in size, next to the buffaloe, 

 among the animals of the North West. The 

 body is in shape, somewhat like that of an ox, 

 raw boned, with high haunches ; but its neck and 

 head resemble those of a horse. The ears are 



