lib HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



were frequently accefiary to the efcape of fuch as had 

 been guilty of murders or other crimes, this ufe of them 

 was prohibited under great penalties. 



In palling through thick woods, thefe animals carry 

 their heads horizontally, to prevent their horns being en- 

 tangled in the branche.s. 



The Elks are timid and inoffenfive ; except when 

 wounded, or during the rutting feafon, when the males 

 become very furious, and at that time will fwim from 

 ifle to ifle in purfuit of the females. They ftrike with 

 both horns and hoofs; and poffefs fuch agility and 

 ftrength of limbs, that, with a fingle blow of the fore 

 foot, they will kill a wolf or a dog. 



Their flelTi is extremely fweet and nourifhing. The 

 Indians fay, they can travel farther after eating heartily 

 of the flelh of the Elk, than any other animal food. 

 Their tongues are excellent; but the nofe is efteemed 

 the greateft delicacy in all Canada. The Ikin makes ex- 

 cellent buff leather ; and is ftrong, foft, and light : The 

 Indians make their fnow-fhoes, and likewife form their 

 canoes, with it. The hair on the neck, withers, and 

 hams, of a full-grown Elk, from its great length and 

 elafticity, is well adapted to the purpofe of making ma- 

 traffes and faddles. 



The methods of hunt ; ng thefe animals in Canada are 

 curious. The firft, and mod fimple, is,— before the 

 lakes or rivers are frozen, multitudes of the natives af- 

 femble in their canoes 3 with which they form a vaft cre- 

 fcent, each horn touching the more ; whilft another party 

 on the more furround an extenfive tracl: : They are at- 

 tended by dogs, which they let loofe, and prefs towards 

 the water with loud cries. The animals, alarmed by the 

 noiCe, fly before the hunters, and plunge into the lake, 



