VARIETIES OF DEER. 219 



those of the Virginia deer and the mule deer in size. 

 The antlers are almost exactly like those of the mule 

 deer." 



" Is there any distinction between the horns of the 

 different species of deer?" asked Mac. 



" There is a greater difference here than anywhere 

 else except in the glands of the legs. The horns of 

 the Virginia deer rise from the head, swing back and 

 up and around to the front of the head as one beam. 

 The points, or branches, all grow up and out of this 

 main beam. The first or brow point is usually 

 rather long. The horns of a mule deer come up in 

 the same general way, but spread more and the 

 branches do not stand up on the main beam. The 

 brow point grows in the same way as in the common 

 deer, but is usually shorter. In the mule deer, you 

 see, the main beam divides. Here you have it in 

 this one," said Dyche, pointing to a set of antlers 

 near. " Here it branches into two equal parts and 

 these branches again divide equally. This is the 

 distinction and is constant. A brow point and four 

 branches, usually of the same size, give the general 

 plan of the antlers of the mule deer. There may be 

 several other branches and snags growing from the 

 horns, but the general plan can usually be made out 

 without trouble if you look for it. " 



"Well, that clears me up," said the Pathfinder. 

 " As I now understand you, the horns of a mule deer, 

 or true black-tailed deer, branch about the same way 

 and there are four main prongs besides the brow point. 

 If the deer has such horns and has a round tail about 

 as large as a mule-deer tail, black or blackish on the 



