178 THE REASON WHY: 



Th stag, too, singled from the herd, where long 

 P/> rang'd the branching monarch of the shades, 

 Hefore the tempest drives." THOMSON. 



S2Q. The te- horn is commonly applied to any hard projecting body on the head 

 of animals, rawing as a weapon of defence ; but it is strictly applicable only to 8 

 certain clas,? "1 such weapons. For instance, the antlers of the stag consist entirely 

 of bone, aur* ^ave no right to the denomination " horns ; " the weapons of the ox, the 

 sheep, anJ the antelope, consist of a sheath of true horny material on a bony core ; 

 while th ^orns of the rhinoceros are wholly composed of horny matter. Bone and 

 horn are is distinct from each other, as both are from ivory ; yet the three are 

 often confounded by the application of the general term " horn" to antlers, tusks, 

 and true ftoms. Besides the horns on the head of animals, there are other horny 

 processes in the hoofs, claws, nails, &c., and there are various modifications of horn 

 in the sciles of the armadillo, the plate armour of the tortoise, the spines of the 

 and hedgehog, and the quills of birds. 



Horn consists principally of membranous animal matter, being a compound of 

 coagulated albumen, gelatine, and a small portion of phosphate of lime. It has 

 been well remarked of these proportions, " had the horns much more earth, they 

 would be brittle like bones ; had they much more gelatine, they would be soluble 

 like jelly or glue ;" as it is, they are easily convertable to the purposes of the 

 manufacturer, by whom they are so largely used, that considerable importations of 

 horns are necessary, in addition to the supply afforded by this country. 



The horns chiefly applied to manufacturing uses are those of the bull and cow, 

 with the hoofs of those animals. Large quantities are imported from Russia, South 

 America, and Southern Africa. The horns of the bison and buffalo are also in 

 demand, the latter being frequently reserved, on account of their beauty, for 

 superior purposes. The horns of the chamois and antelope are polished and used in 

 their natural forms.* 



527. Why does a stag prefer to reach water before he stands 

 at bay ? 



Because, from his greater height, he can maintain a footing, 

 while the dogs, obliged to swim, become comparatively helpless. 

 He therefore strikes at them with his horns with great effect, 

 while they have little power to attack him. 



528. Why are the horns oj buffaloes of peculiar utility 

 to them? 



Because these animals feed in close jungles, where their eyes 



Tomlinson'9 " Encyclopaedia of Useful Arts and Manufactures.** 



