CHAPTER XVII 



ANTLERS OF THE ELK 



Siberia and the neighboring sections of European 

 Russia produce the best elk antlers taken in the 

 Old World. Specimens from these sources ex- 

 hibited in the great zoological museum in Petro- 

 grad, and in other Russian collections, have a 

 spread of from 59 to 63 inches, with palmation 

 reaching 12 and 14 inches, and sometimes as many 

 as 30 points. Some of the best specimens, no 

 doubt, were taken many years ago. In other parts 

 of Russia, and in Scandinavia, antlers even ap- 

 proaching the least of these dimensions are becom- 

 ing more rare from year to year.' 



The Siberian hunter, having only the demands 

 of the market in mind, has sought hides and meat, 

 indifferent to questions of sex and age in the 

 quest of game. In consequence, Siberian antlers 

 continue normal, showing none of the deteriora- 

 tion which is manifest in western Europe, where 



^ Martenson, ubi supra, p. 35. 



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