XIII] OF THE ANTLERS OF DEER 895 



and constitute a symmetrical figure, each half being the mirror-image 

 of the other. It is what the ghillies call the "cup of the antler". 



To put the case in another way, a pair of antlers (apart from 

 occasional slight irregularities) tends to constitute a figure such that 

 we could conceive an elastic sheet stretched over or round the entire 

 system, and to form one continuous and even surface; and not 

 only would the surface curvature be on the whole smooth and even, 

 but the boundary of the surface would also tend to be an even curve : 

 that is to say the tips of all the tines would approximately have 

 their locus in a continuous curve. 



It follows from this that if we want to make a simple model of 

 a set of antlers, we shall be very greatly helped by taking some 

 appropriate spheroidal surface as our groundwork or scaffolding. 

 The best form of surface is a matter for trial and investigation in 

 each particular case ; but even in a sphere, by selecting appropriate 

 areas thereof, we can obtain sufficient varieties of surface to meet all 

 ordinary cases. With merely a bit of sculptor's clay or plasticine, 

 we should be put hard to it to model the horns of a wapiti or a 

 reindeer* but if we start with an orange (or a round florence flask) 

 and lay our little tapered rolls of plasticine upon it, in simple natural 

 curves, it is surprising to see how quickly and successfully we can 

 imitate one type of antler after another. In either case, we. shall be 

 struck by the fact that our model may vary in its mode of branching 

 within very considerable limits, and yet look perfectly natural; for 

 the same wide range of variation is characteristic of the natural 

 antlers themselves. As Sir V. Brooke says (op, cit. p. 892), "No 

 two antlers are ever exactly alike; and the variation to which the 

 antlers are subject is so great that in" the absence of a large series 

 they would be held to be indicative of several distinct species*." 

 But all these many variations lie within a limited range, for they are 

 all subject to our general rule that the entire structure is essentially 

 confined to a single curved surface. A sheet of stiff paper makes 

 an even simpler model. Fold it in two; cut a deer's head out of 

 the double sheet, and leave a large oval where the antlers are to be; 

 cut a few notches in this oval leaf, for the spaces between the tines 

 (Fig. 440). The likeness to a pair of antlers seems remote to begin 



* Cf. also the immense range of variation in elks' horns, a,s described by 

 Lonnberg, P.Z..S'. ir, pp. 352-360, 1902. 



