78 



NORTH AMERICA. 



time, the badger rarely or never comes out of its hole. It is a slow and timid animal, taking to 

 the first earth it comes to when pursued ; and as it makes its way through the sandy soil with 

 the rapidity of a mole, it soon places itself out of the reach of danger. The strength of its fore- 

 feet and claws is so great, that one which had insinuated only its head and shoulders into a hole, 

 resisted the utmost efforts of two stout young men who endeavored to drag it out by its hind 

 legs and tail, until one of them fired the contents of his fowling-piece into his body. Earl}' in 

 the spring, however, when they first begin to stir abroad, tliey may easily be caught by pouring 

 water into their holes ; for the ground being frozen at that period, the water does not escape 

 through the sand, but soon fills the hole, and its tenant is obliged to come out. 



The American Badger is generally less 

 jn size and of a lighter make than the 

 European, and the markings on the fur 

 are very different, and the tail is much 

 shorter. 



One species of glutton {Gulo luscus), 

 the wolverene, also of the bear family, is 

 found in the northern parts of North Ameri- 

 ca. Its body is about 2S inches in length, 

 and it is remarkable for its slowness, vo- 

 racity, and strength. It destroys young 

 foxes, beaver, and other small quadrupeds ; 



tVolcerene. 



The American Elk or Wapiti 



American Elk. 



its fur is valued for the length and thickness 

 of the hair. 



Cervus strongyloceros) is second in size to the moose alone. 



The size and appearance of the elk are impos- 

 ing ; his air denotes confidence of great strength, 

 while his towering horns exhibit weapons capa- 

 ble of doing much injury when offensively em- 

 ployed. It is not uncommon to see them four 

 or five feet in height, and it said they are son;e- 

 times still higher. The elk has at one period 

 ranged over the greater part, if not the whole, 

 of this continent. Hearne leaves no doubt of 

 its existence as far north as 53°. They are 

 occasionally found in the remote and thinly set- 

 tled parts of Pennsylvania, but the number is 

 small. They are found in great numbers in the 

 western wilds, and west of the Rocky Moun- 

 tains, where the forests supply them with an 

 abundance of buds and tender twigs. The elk 

 IS shy and retiring, and has very acute senses. The moment the air is tainted with the odor 

 of his enemy, his head is erected with spirit, his ears rapidly thrown in every direction to catch 

 the sounds, and his dark, glistening eye expresses the most eager attention. As soon as he 

 discovers the hunter, he bounds along for a few paces, stops, turns half round, and scans his 

 pursuer with a steady gaze, then throwing back his lofty horns, and projecting his taper nose 

 forward, he springs from the ground and advances with a velocity which soon leaves the object 

 of his dread far out cf sight. 



The flesh of the elk is highly esteemed by the Indians and hunters as food, and the horns, 

 while in a soft state, are also considered a delicacy ; of their hides a great variety of articles of 

 dress and usefulness are prepared. The Indians make bows of the perfect horn, which are 

 highly serviceable from their elasticity. These animals have been to a certain degree domes- 

 ticated, and might possibly be rendered as useful as the rein-deer. — Godman. 



The Muosc (Jllccs Amcricanus) is the largest animal of the deer kind of the United States, 

 and perhaps of the world. He bears a close resemblance to the elk of Europe, but is a 

 distinct species. He is frequently met with in the British settlements, and occasionally straj-s 

 within the boundary of all the Stales bordering upon Canada. He is more common, however. 

 In Maine than in any other part of our country. He frequents the woody tracts between this 

 State and the Bav of Fundy, and is also found in the fur countries much further north. He 



