THE ELK. 
T1 
and the clean firm figure of his legs, 
shoulders are higher than his croup, and 
motions in consequence rather heavy. His 
^®Ual gait is a very rapid shuffle or amble. 
. Tile elk frequents cold but woody regions, 
the forests of which it can readily browse 
the lower branches and suckers of trees ; 
peculiar structure rendering grazing an 
'^Convenient and even painful action. The 
|!''tion of the ancients that, owing to its long 
'^bs and overhanging lips, it was compelled 
'' ''’alk backward as it grazed, is obviously 
of the many instances in which the 
*^sest observers of nature adopted the sug- 
^^^tions of credulity instead of depending 
5 actual research. The asserted liability of 
animal to epilepsy is another fable, de- 
from equally plausible assumptions. In 
'^fting gj]. ig known to hold his nose 
^ '^ch elevated, and to lay his horns horizontally 
as it were, over the shoulders, by which 
