35 ° 
UNGULATES. 
fully adult stags, are usually three or more in number; and also by the well- 
marked backward curvature and want of convergence in the upper-part of the 
beam. In colour the wapiti is dark brown on the head and neck, while the back, 
flanks, and thighs are creamy grey, with the under-part of the body blackish. 
The legs are brown, and the lower portion of the light patch on the buttocks is 
bordered with black. Mr. Caton gives the height of a full-grown stag as rather 
more than 5 feet 4 inches (16 hands), but other writers estimate the height 
of the largest individuals at 5 feet 8 inches (17 hands) at the shoulder. The 
usual weight is about 700 lbs., but it is said that large males will exceed 
1000 lbs. in weight, although some full-grown females do not scale more than 
400 lbs. 
In the fifth year the antlers develop five points; but after that period the 
number increases irregularly, and there are frequently more snags on the one 
antler than on the other. Very rarely is there any approach to the cup in 
the crown of the antler distinctive of the red deer. Antlers of the wapiti attain 
very large dimensions. Of two fine pairs in the collection of Mr. Otho Shaw, the 
dimensions are as follows, in inches,—No. 1, length 49 J, span 54, basal girth 8; 
No. 2, length 55A, span 48f, basal girth 7|. In two examples belonging to Mr. E. 
S. Cameron, the total lengths are respectively 53 \ and 55^ inches, the spans 47^ 
and 444 inches, and the basal girths just above the burr 9| and 10 inches. The 
maximum recorded lengths are, however, 60f, 61£, 62, and 62^ inches. 
The range of the wapiti has of late years been greatly restricted by the 
advance of civilisation, while the same cause, coupled with constant persecution on 
the part of sportsmen, has likewise reduced its numbers in a corresponding degree. 
Mr. W. A. Perry states, that the wapiti was formerly found in nearly all parts of 
the United States, in Mexico, and in British America as far north as the 60th 
parallel of north latitude; but it has vanished before the approach of civilisation, 
and is now found only in the remotest mountain fastnesses west of the Missouri 
River, or in the great forests of British America. The largest herds now remaining 
outside of the National Yellowstone Park are found in the Olympic Mountains of 
Washington, and among the mountains of Vancouver Island. There are still 
many remaining in the Cascade and Rocky ranges, but they do not congregate there 
in large herds as they do in the Coast ranges. Another recent writer states, that 
less than ten years ago there were many secluded districts in Colorado, Wyoming, 
and Montana, where, during the late autumn and winter, wapiti might be seen 
banded together in herds numbering many thousands of individuals; whereas 
now, it is seldom that a hundred can be found together. 
The general habits of the wapiti seem to be very similar to those of the red 
deer, the old stags living apart from the main herd during the greater part of the 
year; and in the pairing-season taking exclusive possession of a party of hinds, 
after having vanquished their rivals in fight. The shedding of the antlers is late, 
generally taking place in the full-grown stags during the latter part of December 
or the first half of January. The new antlers begin to sprout in March or April, 
and are fully complete by the middle of August. At this time the old stags begins 
to call, the note being a roar very like that of the hangul. It has, however, been 
compared to the bray of a donkey; and it is suggested that it is partly from this 
