64 



THE AMERICAN MOOSE 



to make the exact observations which are needed 

 as a basis for a complete description and life-history 

 of an animal whose home is generally so remote 

 from civilization. 



Among many misstatements regarding the moose 

 some of the most frequent concern his size. Many 

 writers since Dr. Josselyn and Judge Dudley^ have 

 exaggerated, and not always, it is to be presumed, 

 with intent to mislead their readers. A writer 

 in The Big Game of North America^ published in 

 1890, tells of a monster Rocky Mountain moose. 

 "As he lay on his brisket his withers were higher 

 than any horse in the outfit. . . . He was fifteen 

 hands high without his legs under him.'"^ 



The distance, in a straight line, from the top 

 of the shoulders to the brisket, or lower line of 

 the breast, is commonly called the "depth of 

 body." Andrew J. Stone, who is well-acquainted 

 with the moose of Alaska, gives minute dimensions 

 of three adult bulls taken on the Kenai Peninsula. 

 The average depth of body of these moose is 33 

 inches, and the average height at the shoulders 

 77 inches.^ If the Rocky Mountain bull "was 

 fifteen hands high without his legs under him," 



^ See pp. 22, 24. 



* The Deer Family, p. 295. 



a Page 24. 



