396 
STRANGE DWELLINGS . 
scarped and cut by the wind in weird resemblance of human 
architecture. 
During the sharp frosts, the Elk runs but little risk, because 
it can traverse the hard, frozen surface of the snow with con- 
siderable speed, although with a strange, awkward gait. Its 
usual pace is a swinging trot ; but so light is its action, and so 
long are its legs, that it quietly trots over obstacles which a 
horse could not easily leap, because the frozen surface of the 
snow, although competent to withstand the regular trotting 
force, could not endure the sudden impact of a horse when 
leaping. As an example of the curious trot of this animal, I 
may mention that on one occasion an Elk was seen to trot 
uninterruptedly over a number of fallen tree-trunks, some of 
which were nearly five feet in diameter. 
It is a remarkable fact that the split hoofs of the Elk spread 
widely when the foot is placed on the ground, coming together 
again with a loud snap when it is raised. In consequence of 
this peculiarity, the Elk’s progress is rather noisy, the crackling 
sounds of the hoofs following each other in quick succession. 
Want of food is sometimes a danger to the Elk ; but the 
animal is taught by instinct to clear away the snow, and to 
discover the lichens on which it chiefly lives. The carnivorous 
animals, however, are always fiercely hungry in the winter-time, 
and gain from necessity a factitious courage which they do not 
possess at other times. As long, however, as the frost lasts, the 
Elk cares little for such foes, as it can distance them if they 
chase it ever so fiercely, or oppose them if by chance it should 
find itself in a place where there is no retreat. They do not like 
to attack an animal whose skin is so thick and tough that, when 
tanned, it will resist an ordinary pistol-bullet, and which has 
besides, an awkward knack of striking with its fore-feet like 
a skilful boxer, knocking its foes over, and then pounding them 
with its hoofs until they are dead. 
But when the milder weather begins to set in, the Moose is 
in constant danger. The warm sun falling on the snow produces 
a rather curious effect. The frozen surface only partially melts, 
