IIG 



Cariacus virginianus. To a certain extent they are palmated and 



evidently grew xTpoii the head of a very old deer, which I have been, 



told was a complete skeleton, with his teeth nearly all gone, at the time 



he was killed. Perhaps some gentleman present may be able to 



enlighten us upon the cpiestion of abnormal horns. In telling you the 



story of what I have learned myself about the deer of the 'Ottawa 



Valley, I have aimed at telling it in a manner likely to iuterest the 



greater number. I have endeavoured to avoid abstruse technicalities, 



and above all I have unwillingly been compelled to curb my 



inclination to tell you the thrilling story of many a glorious run, and 



rehearse the tale of many a night of killing ha])piness around the camp 



fire, where battles were fought over again and memory hung around us 



the branching antlers of many a woodland king, whose trophied heads 



can be found in more than one house of the dearly loved companions 



with whom I have so often pitched the tent in the wilderness. If I 



have succeeded in any measure in either instructing or interesting 



anyone in this audience, I shall proudly feel that I have not roamed the 



woods, stood upon the runway, listened to the deep and matchless music 



of the hounds, or drawn the ritle-trigger amid the mighty and sublime 



solitudes of nature in vaiu. 



And now my pleasant task is done, 



The fruits of many a glorious run ! 



Still springing 'mid the lambent baze 



Which circles round the camp fire's Llaze, 



Eevealing to fond memory's eyes 



The dear, unrivalled daj's gone bj', 



When limbs were lithe and arms were strong, 



And life one gladsome burst of song. 



Ilnvealing 'mid unfading sheen 



" The Runway '' in the forest green — 



" The autlerud monarch's " springing bound, 



The matchless music of the hound ! 



When headlong on the steaming scent, 



With instinct true as steel, he went. 



The gaze into the spreading track — 



The breaking twig, the rifle's crack, 



The quivering limb, the closing eye, 



The forest's dying majesty. 



Dix. B.\PTiE said that there had lately been a discussion in Xature 

 tending to show that the deer ate their shed horns, and later he read 

 some extracts giving evidence on this point. 



Mr. W. L. Scott stated that the buck which his father had owned 

 was inrfccthj white, and after being kept in a park for thi'ee or four 



