Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1853-07-07
nltstfl!aneous.
From the Manchester Democrat.
The American Moose.

During brief excursion some ten days ago
in the unfrequented forests of New Hampshire
and Maine, we gathered from Mr. w. H Leve.
rett of Errol, some interesting accounts of the
Moose, the largest of the Deer tribe, and the
most magnificent tenant Of the North American
forest. Mr. Leverett is the most experienced
hunter of this animal in the state, and in familiar
with its habits and pecularties. 1t is usually
sought by the hunter for the sake of its hide and
tailow which bring about six dollars. The flesh
of the moose is course, and hunter seldom make
use of anything more than few choice bits to
supply their immediate wants.
The Moose are still abundant in the forests
of Lower Canada, and the northern part of
Maine, and the northeastern corner of New
Hampshire. They are hardly less in number
than they we're twenty five years ago, as the
settlement have progressed rather slowly during
that period. The following sketch of this noble
animal whose weight often exceeds eight hun
dred is from the pen of Mr.. Kendall, Canadian
Hunter:
ain the summer they are fond of frequentng
lakes and rivers, not only to escape the attacks
of insects which then molest them, but also to
avoid injlrng their antlers, which, during their
growth, are very soft, and exqusitvely sens
tive and, besides, such situations afford them
abundance of food.
"They there feed on the water plants or browse
upon the trees fringing the shores. In the winter
they retire to the dry mountain ridges, where
are abundance of maple aud other hardwood
trees upon which to feed either by browsing on
the tender twigs or peeling the bark from the
stems of such as are only three or four inches
in diameter. Their long pendnlous upper lip
Is admirably adapted 10 giasplng and pulling
down the branches, which are held between the
forelegs until all the twigs are eaten. They
peel off the bark by placing the hard pad on The
roof of the mouth against the tree, and scrap
ing upwards with their sharp, gougelike teeth,
completely denuding the tree to the height OF
seven OF eight feet from the surface of the snow.
They remain near the same spot as long as any
food can be obtained, seldom breaking fresh
snow, but keeping TO the same tracks as long as
possible.
"The antlers begin to sprout in April, and at
first appear like two black knobs. They COM
plele their growth in July, when the skin which
covers them peels off, and leaves them perfectly
white; exposure to the sun and air, however,
soon renders them brown. When we consider
The immense size to which some of them grow
in such short period Of time, it seems almost
incredible hat two such enormous excrescences
could be deposited from The circulating system
alone. The daley growth is distictly marked
on the velvety covering by light shade carried
around then. The first year the antlers are
only about one inch long the second year foul
or five inches, with perhaps the rudiment of q
point the third year about nine inches, when
each divides into u fork, still round in form; the
fourth year they become palmated, with pro
wantler and three or four points; the fifth sea.
son they have two crownanters, and perhaps
five points; the points increasing in size eacl
year, and one or two points being annually un
til the animal arrives OF its greatest vigor; afte
which period they decrease in size, and tht
points are not SO fully thrown out The long
. esl pair ever met with had eighteen points
;. Others have them with twenty-three points
! they expanded FIVE feet nine inches to the out
side OF the tips; tho breadth of palm clever
+ inches without the points circumference o
lshaft clear of the burr, nine inches; weigh,