1 88 



TYPES OF ANIMAL LIFE 



outgrowths of bone from the head which, while they are 

 growing, are covered with soft, sensitive skin, richly 

 supplied with blood. When once completely formed the 

 supply of blood ceases, and the skin, becoming dry, wears 

 off, leaving the bone of the antler naked and bare. After 



FIG. 51. 



THE WAPITI. 



a time the antler becomes detached near its base and falls 

 off, the part left, or pedicle, serving to develop the antler 

 which next succeeds. Antlers may be simple and straight, 

 but they mostly send off branches or snags, as is well 

 seen in the magnificent antlers of the wapiti. There are 

 no antlers in two species, while in the reindeer they are 

 present on both sexes. In all other deer only the males 



