MEGACEROS THIRERNICUS. 468 
Fig. 189. 
Perforated rib of the Megaceros, from Hart’s Memoir. 
which there is an irregular effusion of callus.”* ‘This 
opening,” he says, ‘appears evidently to have been pro- 
duced by a sharp-pomted instrument, which did not pene- 
trate so deep as to cause the animal's death, but which 
probably remained fixed in the opening for some length 
of time afterwards; in fact, such an effect as would be 
produced by the head of an arrow remaining in a wound 
after the shaft was broken off.”’—Op. cit. p. 29. 
But a conical arrow-head, with a base one inch in dia- 
meter, sticking in a rib with its poimt in the chest, must 
have pierced the contiguous viscera, and, rankling there, 
have excited rapid and fatal inflammation. The evidence 
of the healing process in the bone, would rather show that 
the instrument which pierced the rib, had not been left 
there to impede the operations of the ‘vis medicatrix 
nature.” A pointed branch of the formidable antler is as 
well suited to inflict such a wound, as the hypothetical 
arrow; and if the combative instincts of the rutting Stag 
* Dr. Hart’s ‘ Description,’ &c., p. 21. Dr. Hart gives the following analysis 
by Dr. Stokes of the rib of a Megaceros :— 
Animal matter : : , ; : ‘ ; » 42°87 
Phosphates, with a trace of fluate of lime : - : 43°45 
Carbonate of lime. ; ; : F : : a RR! 
Oxides ‘ A : 5 [ : : ; ‘ 1-02 
Silica é . . 4 ‘ ; A : : o) Lela 
Water and loss. : : : : ‘ ; : 2°38 
100:00 
