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were obtained and so mixed, I know not. (Query.) 

 Were those animals of a larger frame ? if so their horns 

 were very inferior. Those above described, derived 

 their dark colour, I have not the least doubt, from the 

 imported stock. This will make a vast difference in 

 the horns and head of the future stags, and much 

 further investigation will be required towards settling 

 the question, so as to be able to judge of a stag's age 

 by his horns ; for in my opinion this cross will always 

 continue to be more or less marked, just as various 

 marks may be seen in sheep and cattle, when the 

 breed has been crossed. Does it not tend to prove it 

 is in the natural disposition of the animal. Surely it 

 cannot be said it is owing to his keep or pasturage, or 

 age ; for as I have before stated, the number of antlers 

 which a stag has in his second year, continues through- 

 out the growth of the horns, and the ones he is then 

 deficient of he never regains ; so that if he has his brow, 

 bay, and tray, they will continue to be developed in 

 the same manner, though there may be some slight 

 variation in them, and possibly in each of them. If 

 he has only his brow and bay, he never gets a tray, 

 nor does he get a bay if he has only had brow and 

 tray in his second year — this I believe to be strictly 

 correct, as far as my observations have been carried. 

 Having said this much as regards a stag's head, horns, 

 &c., T feel bound to bestow my humble meed of praise 

 on the present pack of stag-hounds latterly hunting the 

 counties of Devon and Somerset, and also to add that 



