157 



performed nearer the natūrai time of detachment of the semi-dead 

 bone ; thus, if it be about the end of March or so, the horns are cast 

 iu a fortnight ; but if done shortly after the " velvet " has separated 

 from the newly perfected antlers, in the month of September or 

 thereabouts, they are shed iu a month afterwards. Specimens of 

 these absorptions, and also examples of the bases of the horns shed 

 by the entire animal, are here for the exaraination of the Society*. 



I have purposely avoided citing authors, and have sought to relate 

 facts only ; my sole object in pursuing the inquiry I have detailed, 

 being to endeavour thereby to expose the fallacy of some of the tra- 

 ditional vulgar errors respecting deer, and especially that of lateral- 

 ity, whether the influence be inferred to be exercised from the one 

 side or the other, which have been handed down from, and are only 

 worthy of, the remote ages whence they emanated. 



P. S. — Within a few days, and since my having written theforegoing, 

 a paper has been published in the ' Proceedings of the Linnean So- 

 ciety,' " On the influence of the Sexual Organs in modifying External 

 Character," by my friend Mr. Yarrell, from whom I am estremely 

 sorry to be obliged to differ as to some of the conclusions he has 



* Figiires 5, 6 and 7 are from specimens, Nos. 



" 3558. Shed antler of a Fallovr Deer, from wliich half of each testicle 

 had been removed soon after birth, 



3563. Shed autler of a castrated Fallow Deer, 

 3565. Shed antler of a castrated Fallow Deer," 

 in the Miiseum of the CoUege of Surgeons. 



