B. IX.] THE HISTORY OF ANIMALS. 237 



they never have the defensive part of the horn, that part 

 of the growing horn which bends forwards, with which they 

 defend themselves, this the old stags never possess, but all 

 the increase of their horns is upwards. 



3. They cast their horns every year about the month of 

 April. "When they cast their horns they hide themselves 

 during the day, as it has been already observed. They con- 

 ceal themselves in thickets, to protect themselves from the 

 flies. During this period they feed (in the thickets) during 

 the night, until their horns are grown. They are produced 

 at first under the skin, and are covered with down. When 

 they grow they expose them to the sun, that the horn may 

 be matured and hardened. When they cease to give them 

 pain if rubbed against trees, they leave such places, for 

 they are confident in their means of defence. An Achamian 

 stag * has been taken with a considerable quantity of green 

 ivy growing on its horns as in green wood, for the horns 

 are tender when first produced. 



4. "When the stags are bitten by the phalangium or any 

 such creature, they collect together a number of crabs and 

 eat them. It appears to be wholesome for mankind to 

 drink the same substance, but it is not pleasant. The 

 females, as soon as their young are born, eat the chorium, 

 and it is not possible to obtain it, for they seize upon it 

 before it can fall to the ground ; it appears to have some 

 medicinal properties. The females are captured by the 

 sound of the pipe and by singing, and they are charmed by 

 singing. When two persons go out to capture them, one 

 shows himself, and either plays upon a pipe, or sings, and 

 the other strikes behind, when the first gives him the 

 signal ; when the ears of the deer are erect, it hears quickly, 

 and cannot be deceived, as it may be if they hang down. 



CHAPTER VII. 



1. WHE^ bears are in flight, the v drive their cubs before them, 

 or take them up and carry them. When nearly overtaken, 

 they climb up into trees. When they first come from their 

 hiding place they eat the arum, as it has been already ob- 

 served, and gnaw the trees as if they were cutting teeth. 

 Many ether animals also prudently provide themselves with 

 1 A bracket, or two year old stag. 



