84 
ANIMALS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
green forests, where a luxuriant vegetation affords them an 
abundant supply of buds and tender twigs ; or of the great 
plains, where the solitude is seldom interrupted, and all- 
bounteous nature spreads an immense field for their support. 
The Elk sheds its horns about the end of February, or 
beginning of March ; and such is the rapidity with which the 
new horns shoot forth, that in less than a month they are a 
foot in length. The whole surface of the horn is covered by 
a soft, hairy membrane, which, from its resemblance to that 
substance, is called velvet ; and the horns are said to be 
“ in the velvet ” until the month of August, by which time 
they have attained their full size. After they are fully 
formed, the membrane becomes entirely detached ; and this 
separation is hastened by the animal, who appears to suffer 
some irritation, which causes him to rub them against the trees. 
The velvet, in its hanging state, closely resembles a tangled 
mass of cobwebs . 
The Elk [is shy and retiring ; having very acute senses, it 
receives early warning of the approach of any human intruder. 
As soon as the hunter is fairly discovered, it bounds along 
for a few paces, stops, turns half round, and scans its pur- 
suer with a steady gaze, then throwing back its lofty horns 
upon its neck, and projecting its taper nose forward, it 
springs from the ground, and advances with a velocity 
which soon leaves the object of its dread far out of sight. 
But during August and September, when the horns are in 
perfect order, it employs them and its hoofs with great 
effect, and the lives of men and dogs are endangered by 
coming within its reach. When at bay, it fights with great 
eagerness, as if resolved to be avenged. The following 
incident, from Long’s Expedition to the Rocky Mountains, 
will, in some degree, illustrate this statement : 
“ A herd of twenty or thirty Elk were seen at no great 
distance from the party, standing in the water, or lying 
upon the sand beach. One of the finest bucks was singled 
