cxviii 
RtJMlNAMTIA. ‘MAMMALIA. Unodlata. 
cult to ascertain. It is only a few years since it 
occasionally appeared in the northern parts of Ver- 
mont and New Hampshire. 
BARREN GROUND CARIBOU (^Rangifer grczn- 
landicm). — d’his is much smaller than the preceding. 
The bucks, when fat, weigh eighty to one hundred 
and twenty-five pounds. The horns, however, are 
much larger, and are more graceful in form. It is 
found in the barren regions of Arctic America. Dr. 
King, an author on Mammalia, asserts that this 
species is peculiar in the form of the liver, and that 
it does not have any gall bladder. 
Professor Baird says : “ It is a question, admitting 
this to be a distinct species, whether it should bear 
the name Grceidandicus orArcticus. Following the 
strict law of priority, however, I have retained the 
former, although objectionable on account of its local 
character.” 
Cervus. 
This genus, according to Wallace,- includes forty 
species. It embraces those forms called true Deer. 
'I’hey are mostly confined to the northern hemisphere. 
N itie species are found in South America, and about 
the same number in North America, according to 
Andrew Murray. None are found in Australia, nor 
in Africa proper; that is, south of Sahara, d’he 
characters of Cervus are seen in the large horns, 
which curve backwards; the snags being directed 
forwards. 'I’he tail is very short ; the hoofs broad 
and rounded. The species are all I'ather large. 
WAPITI {Cervus canadensis). — Plate III, fig. ix. — • 
So large and distinguished is this American Deer, 
it remains a matter of regret that its characteristics 
should not lie better known. Very many are uncer- 
tain what animal is indicated when Elk is mentioned, 
or the Moose, or the Stag, and American Stag. 
Wapiti is more distinctive. Vet it is not extensively 
known. Some European authors, while describing 
Elk, add, as a synonym. Moose. 'I’his is one source of 
perplexity with our “general reader.” In the late 
issue of Johnsons Gyclogx^dia, New York, the sub- 
ject Elk stands for Alces malchis (Moose), and the 
author adds : “'I'he true American Elk {Alces ameri- 
camis) so closely resembles the above species that 
some writers regard them as identical.” Now, one 
reading the article, from which the above extract is 
taken, would readily become more confused, as the 
last two species referred to are really varieties only 
of the Moose, which is so familiar to people of Maine 
and (Janada ; Alces malchis being the variety com- 
mon to the northern and corresponding parts of 
Europe and Asia. 'I’he above-quoted article contin- 
ues, however: “'I’he beast generally known in 
America as the Elk is the Wapiti [Cervus canadensis) , 
an animal nearly as large as the Moose. Several 
other large species of Deer are known locally as 
Elks, as in Ceylon ; or of Antelope, as in South 
Africa. 'I’he true Elk, then, is what is calle^, in our 
North-eastern States and in Canada, Moose.” Dr. 
dill says of the AVapiti, the subject of our j)resent 
writing: “It is more generally called Elk, but very 
improperly, inasmuch as the name belongs by right 
to the Alces malchis, otherwise called the Moose.” 
If one example is of service in the way of correcting 
the confusion of nomenclature, we gladly embrace 
the opportunity, and place at the head of our article 
the title which is determined to be the only safe one, 
and that is. Wapiti. Dr. De Kay records as local 
names the following : Red Deer, Stag, Gray Moose. 
La Biche, Gray Elk, and Round-horned Elk ; and he 
adds : “ It is surprising that for so long, and in 
some districts so common an animal, so little is 
known of its habits. It is still (1842) found in the 
State of New York, but very sparingly. * * * 
'I’hey are found in the north-western counties of 
Pennsylvania, and the adjoining counties of New 
York.” 'I’he Wapiti is closely allied to the Red 
Deer or Stag of Europe. It is larger, and more im- 
posing even than the latter, notwithstanding some 
authors affect to regard it as “ stupid and Donkey- 
like in habits.” 'I’here seems to be a great difference 
of opinion concerning its nature. 'I’hose who have 
been familiar with the animal in its wild state, as 
well as when confined, agree that it shows a bold 
and noble front, and exercises as much spirit as any. 
It is next in size to the Moose, measuring over five feet 
at the shoulders, and seven feet nine inches from the 
nose to root of tail. 'I'lie latter organ, however, is 
so short that it is hardly more than rudimentary. It 
lives in herds of considerable magnitude, even num- 
bering several hundreds, which are usually under care 
of an old buck, who appears to exercise a strict dis- 
cipline over them. Like others, it is fond of swim- 
ming, and readily takes to the water when pursued. 
Great difference of opinion is expressed concerning 
the value of its flesh ; some state that the hunters 
prize it, and particularly the marrow of its bones. 
'J’he skin and horns are certainly of great value to 
the native tribes. 'I'he latter are sometimes nearly 
six feet in extent, from tip to tip. 'I’he color of the 
pelage is a light chestnut-red, with an abrupt patch 
of yellowish-white covering the rump and upper 
portions of the thighs. In winter the color is more 
gray. 'I’he Wapiti was once the most widely distri- 
buted of any American Deer, its range extending 
from ocean to ocean, and reaching as far north as 
latitude 57°. At the present day it is not- seen often 
eastward of Pennsylvania and Virginia. Audubon 
says : “ When we first settled in Kentucky some of 
them were still to be met with, but at present (1847) 
none are to be found ; and they are not really in 
numbers until you pass the upper waters of the Mis- 
souri. 'I’hey do not confine themselves to water- 
courses, but roam over the jirairies.” Audubon re- 
futes, with indignation, the statements which tend to 
“ corrupt the reputation of this noble animal. He 
is always found to be wary and cunning as any of tln- 
Deer kind.” 
AMERICAN RED DEER [Cervus virginianus) — 
Plate III, fig. X. — 'I’here is quite as much confu- 
sion here regarding the nomenclature, or trivial 
names. 'I’o call the creature the Virginia Deer is to 
name with no special signification, as it is not par- 
ticularly of that region. 'I’he term Red Deer is very 
well known to readers as another name for the Euro- 
