66 ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HORNS. 



steep hill we crossed a large flat plain, on which I found a species of Andromeda, 

 with white flowers, and clusters of crimson berries, a species of Gravelia, Epa- 

 cris exserta and Epacris keteronema ; the ground being covered with a species of 

 Allium, which scented the air. On the left, the Kerrekeri wound its course, 

 and now falls over a ledge of perpendicular basaltic rocks, twenty-five feet of 

 a beautiful crescent form, which had a fine appearance. 



I have conducted the reader to the summit of the last hill which over- 

 looks the Bay of Islands, and a beautiful view is now before him. It was a still 

 calm evening, the sun just dipping in the Pacific, the bay as smooth as glass, 

 studded with small islands (from which it takes its name) ; on its bosom lay 

 twenty-seven vessels at anchor, as still as possible, with just sufficient wind to 

 unfold the ensigns of England and America, which last predominates in the pro- 

 portion of twelve to one. I shall now leave your readers on the beach of the Bay 

 of Islands to contemplate the scene. 



Martin Hall, Nottinghamshire, 

 December 20, 1837. 



ON THE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF HORNS. 

 By Beverley R. Morris. 



Many animals are supplied with horns as instruments of offence and defence, 

 in addition to their claws and teeth, which in animals so provided are generally 

 ill-suited for either of these purposes. In some species the females are not sup- 

 plied with horns. In others they have horns, though smaller than those of the 

 males ; while in others again we find the horns of the female larger but less com- 

 pact than those of the male. Horns are only found on Herbivorous animals, 

 and although some are without them, as the Horse, yet these are provided with 

 other means of defence, as in the case of the animal alluded to, which has been 

 known to defend himself, and successfully too, against the attacks of even the 

 Lion, by means of his powerful hind legs. These animals also are generally 

 swift of foot, and are thus enabled to escape many dangers. Horns may be 

 divided into four classes. Of two of these little can be said, as they are confined 

 each to a single genus. 

 They are : — 



I. Those which are found on the Rhinoceros. Unlike other horns, they are 

 placed over the bones of the nose, but are not attached to them ; having con- 

 nexion only with the skin. They are true horns, being formed entirely of horny 

 matter, which can be distinctly traced in longitudinal lines, and seem to be a 



