Elk
Latin name: | Alches |
Other names: | Alay, Alces, Aloy, Helim, Moose |
Category: | Beast |
The Eurasian elk or moose
General Attributes
The alches (Eurasian elk or moose) is found in some encyclopedias. It is said that the elk cannot get up on its own if it falls, and so sleeps leaning on a tree (also said of the elephant).
Illustration
Because of the description by Gaius Julius Solinus and others, the elk is sometimes confused with the elephant (both are said to be unable to bend their knees). In some manuscripts of Der Naturen Bloeme by Jacob van Maerlant and Thomas of Cantimpré, the illustration of the elk resembles an elephant, or is clearly an elephant. In some manuscripts, the "elk" looks more like a camel (e.g. Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16). Thomas of Cantimpré (quoting Solinus) also says the elk resembles a mule, so in manuscript Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Wroclawiu, R 174 the elk is drawn as a mule or ass.