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without any ap])eararxCe indicating tlieir likelihood to fall off. Here, 1 

 imagine, is the proper place to refer to some strange peculiarities and 

 diversities in tha horns of the common deer. It is difficult to account 

 for the abnormal growth so frequently visible in the antlers of these 

 animals. Some naturalists seem to think that such irregularities of 

 growth have been occasioned by injuries received by the horn when in 

 its soft and pulpy state. If such were the case, would it not be natural 

 to conclude that after the deformed member had been shed, the new 

 horn would assume its natural and normal shape 1 This cannot be said 

 to be so. This head which I now show you, as you may observe, is one 

 of the most singular formation ; and from personal observation, I know- 

 that the splendid animal that carried this strangely abnormal pair of 

 hoi-ns, wore his crown in its present shape year after year. I had a fair 

 open view of this deer the year before that in whicli he was killed, near 

 the spot where he was shot, and I particularly remarked this singular 

 looking horn growing out on the right side of his head. Here, also, are 

 two fine heads each with backward lateral prongs of a style seldom seen. 

 Both have been taken from old and heavy deer. Abnormally shaped 

 horns, as far as I know, are rarely, perhaps never, seen except in deer 

 of great size and age. This is my experience. I have frequently seen 

 very old bucks of the virginian species with immense curved beams 

 with only one or two Ijlunt and worn looking prongs on either side, 

 and others of similar size and form with only rudimentary ])rotuberances, 

 indicating, as it were, where, in the horns of former and more vigourous 

 years, the prongs that had been accustomed to grow. Although usually 

 so, it is not always the largest deer which carries the largest horn?. 

 The heaviest and largest deer I ever saw, had the most miserable set of 

 at'^enuated antlers I have ever seen on a full grown deer. On the othei* 

 haud, one of the heaviest pairs of horns, which have yet come under my 

 notice, was taken from the head of a buck of not more than one hundred 

 and fifty pounds weight. This pair which I now show you is perhaps 

 the largest and most beautiful that any one present has seen. The 

 animal from which they were taken was shot many years ago on the 

 Castor River, in the Township of Osgoode. They belong to Mr. W. U. 

 Baldwin of this city. They are singularly regular in shape, and, at the 

 same time, strangely irregular and unlike the ordinary antlers of the 

 h 



