KATURAL HISTORY. 
35 
was covered with hoary black hair. It was 
brought from America, and therefore called 
a moofe deer. As it was fo young, we may 
conclude, that, in its wild, and natural ftate, 
it grovfs to an amazing height. It is aflerted 
by Ibme, that in America it grows to the 
height of twelve feet. I'his animal is re- 
ported to be timorous, gentle, and innoflcn- 
five. It fwims and runs with incredible 
fwiftnefs. The elk delights in cold countries, 
where they feed on grafs in fummer, and on 
the bark of trees in winter. In fnowy wea- 
ther, they aflemble in herds, and feek the fir- 
torells, where they remain, while they can 
find the leafl fublifience from the liark of the 
trees. At this time they are mollly hunted 
by the natives of New-England, Nov-Scotia, 
and Canada, in America ; by the inhabitants 
of Lapland, Norway, Sweden, and RuHia in 
Europe ; and by the inhabitants of the north- 
eaft parts of Tartary and Siberia, in Alia. The 
chafe of thefe animals frequently continues two 
or three days. 
The flefh of the elk has an agreeable tahe, 
and is faid to be nourilhing. The flcin is fo 
llrong and thick, as to refill a mullcet ball. Its 
horns are ufed for the lame purpofcs as harts 
horns. 
They were formerly ufed'-in Sweden to 
draw fledges ; but criminals ffiequentl avail- 
ing till mlelves 6f their fwiftnefs, to efcape the 
purrtiit of jullice, the ufe of them was prohi- 
bited undeh very fev.ere penalties. 
The 
