On the Antiquities of Prussia

...flight. If it is urged by the force of dogs, it defends itself more with its heels than with its horns. It hides itself mostly in marshy places, and there it also gives birth to its young. They say that proof of its fearful nature is that it is rarely seen alone, but appears frequently in a herd. It is believed that its hooves, if the skin is touched by them, can drive away the falling sickness [epilepsy], even when one is already foaming at the mouth. They have hallucinated who said that the Elk has no joints in its legs, nor lies down for the sake of rest, but rather takes its sleep leaning against a tree, which the hunter cuts through to set a trap, causing the beast to fall and be crushed along with it. Also, that it walks backwards while grazing because of its oversized upper lip, as if it could not graze while moving forward. These things are said not of the Elk, but of the Machlin beast, not unlike it, which some have claimed Scandania sends forth. It also has uncut forests from which a huge quantity of timber is conveyed for both naval and domestic use. And straight trees adapted for the masts of ships, which are carried from there to the most remote shores. Beyond that, the forests also have their own riches, from which a not inconsiderable profit comes to the inhabitants as if of its own accord—namely, a huge multitude of bees, whose hives can be seen as if native, hollowed out within the trees for this purpose. From these, such an abundance of honey and wax proceeds that it provides the convenient use of these things to Germany, Britain, and the other adjacent islands. Nor do apiarists care for the swarms there with art or industry, for they are not invited by the planting of any flowers or herbs, nor are they called back if they fly too far.