The Wapiti. 157 
THE WAPITI, (Cervus Canadensis,) 
Is a native of Canada and other northern parts of 
America, and is one of the most gigantic of the Deer 
tribe, growing to the height of our tallest oxen, and 
uniting great activity to strength of body and limbs. 
His horns, which he sheds annually, are very large, 
branching in serpentine curves, and measuring from tip 
to tip upwards of six feet. These animals make a shrill 
noise, resembling the braying of an ass, and are supposed 
to be the most stupid of the Deer kind. The flesh is 
coarse, and little esteemed, but the hide, when made 
into leather, is said not to become hard in drying after 
being wetted, a quality which entitles it to a preference 
over almost every other kind. There are several of 
these splendid animals in the collection of the Zoological 
Society, in the Eegent's Park, where they continue to 
form objects of singular interest and attraction. The 
male is, however, very fierce, always endeavouring to 
attack those who approach him; and on one occasion 
seriously injured one of the visitors to the gardens. 
