The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-12-12

We find the following account of the moose in
the Maine Farmer, published at Augusta, viii h,
We are sure, will be read with interest:
This noble animal is an inhabitant of this State.
but its native location is much more extensive
than is generally supposed. North of 40 degrees
they are round across the entire continent being
very numerous in the northern Rocky Mountains
Maine, New Brunswick and Lower Canada are
among its favorite places of abode. They are
the largest OF the deer tribe. Few persons in
Maine realize what q noble animal ranges our
forests, some of which vie almost with the horse
in size. Like all the deer family. they are rum
mating animals and 10 summer. when their hair
is short and glossy. they appear very handsome.
though their head has heavy look, which is dis.
figured by clumsy upper iip, approaching in
appearance that of the horse. They are exceed
iDgly timid. We saw one partially tanned several
years since, and though he had been kept for
months in stable with a horse, yet when taken
into the street he seemed terribly frightened as
be saw herse walking through the streets.
Hence the moose hunter finds II necessary to
approach them against the wind. The breaking
OF twig Will arouse them. In winter the hair is
long and coarse, within which is fine, thick coat
OF wool. An old moose has long, bushy tuft
under the jaws.
The most remarkable object of attention in the
moose Is bis huge antlers, which seem to be
great inconvenience TO the progress of the animal
among trees, but he turns them back upon MS
shoulders, and trots along with stately gait and
great speed among the trees. They never ga lop
or leap, but practice long trot.
a...s aas % n good coaos
It'll quite Juicy. The nose and tongue are consid.
cred great delicacies. The Indians who lived 10
the vicinity of the whites considered il most desi
rable present to their white neighbors when they
conld bring 10 the nose and tongue of moose.
Inc age oil the moose is generally reckoned by
the number of points on his horns, some of which
have as many as twenty.three, which indicate
their age in years. Their antlers weigh some.
times as high as seventy pounds. They shed
these every year, usually commencing in Decem-
Der, 1t is astonishing with what rapidity these
anilers will grow.
In the winter season they retire to the more
mountainous region, when they are said to
yard" An abundance of hard wood trees fur
nish them with food, and they do not leave their
yard unless disturbed so long as food is abundant
Moose hunting when the snow is deep and
covered with crust is very exciting. When
started from their yard, the male goes first and
the others follow in his tracks so exactly thar a
stranger would suppose there was only one
moose. IL is said that they sometimes in their
tight go through other yards, when they all fall
In and travel In single file. Its speed is 90 great
that an Indian has pursued one three hundred
miles before overtaking him. Generally, if hotly
pursued and not overtaken the first day. they lay
down after running short distance, and are SO
stf the next day that they are easily brought to
Boy by small dogs.
Various attempts have been made TO domesti.
cate them. They have been harnessed into q
eielgn and driven with great speed; bat there are
times when they are perfectly unmsnagesble.
lhslr nmid nature forbids their general use.
The destruction of moose and deer In this State
has been most wanton within few years. A law
70 needed fortidding their slaughtsr for ten or
fifteen years, when they would again rapidly In.
crease. -, Fl 49, 49, ~. =