HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS, in 



where they are killed by the people in the canoes with 



lances and clubs. Another method requires a greater 



degree of preparation and art. The hunters inclofe a 

 large fpace with (takes and branches of trees, forming 

 two fides of a triangle ; the bottom opens into a fecond 

 inclofure, which is fall on all fides : At the opening are 

 hung numbers of fnares, made of the flips of raw hides. 

 They afTemble, as before, in great troops ; and, with all 

 kinds of hideous noifes, drive into the inclofure not 

 only the Moofe, but various other kinds of Deer, with 

 which that country abounds. Some, in forcing their 

 way through the narrow pafs, are caught in the fnares 

 by the neck or horns ; whilft thofe which efcape thefe, 

 meet their fate from the arrows of the hunters, directed 

 at them from all quarters. — They are likewife frequently 

 killed with the gun. When they are firft discovered, 

 they fquat with their hind parts, and make water; at 

 which inftant the fportfman fires : If he mifs, the Moofe 

 fets off in a moft rapid trot, making, like the Rein-deer, 

 a prodigious rattling with its hoofs, and running twenty 

 or thirty miles before it flops or takes the water. The 

 ufual time for this diverfion is in winter. The animal 

 can run with eafe upon the firm furface of the fnow ; 

 but the hunters avoid entering on the chafe till the heat 

 of the fun is ftrong enough to melt the frozen cruft with 

 which it is covered, and render it fo foft as to impede 

 the flight of the Moofe, which finks up to the {boulders, 

 flounders, and gets on with great difficulty : The fportf- 

 man purfues in his broad rackets or fnow-fhoes, and 

 makes a ready prey of the diflrefTed animal. 



" As weak againfl the mountain-heaps they pufh 

 " Their beating breaft in vain, and piteous bray, 

 *' He lays them quiv'ring on th' enfanguin'd fnows, 

 " And with loud ftiouts rejoicing bears them home." 



