Camp Fire Legends of Wood Folks 323 



" Then in three or four weeks, some 

 bunches appear where the horns were, and 

 these bunches are the new horns just begin- 

 ning to grow. The horns are composed of 

 lime which comes from the deer's blood. Right 

 at the base of the horns is a large artery which 

 constantly feeds the new growth with blood, 

 and this blood gradually deposits the hard 

 substance that makes horn. 



" While the buck is getting his new horns, 

 he has troubles enough of his own, and so 

 does not make any for others of the wood 

 folks. 



" The new horns are covered with a soft 

 substance which is called velvet, and you will 

 often see where the buck has rubbed it off 

 against a tree. At this time of year, the new 

 horns are sensitive and have to be continually 

 rubbed. This is also to harden them, and get 

 them in shape so that the red buck can fight 

 his enemies, which are usually other bucks. 



" It is very strange that the deer family 

 should grow such splendid horns only to drop 

 them in the late winter. The antlers of the 



