

ARTIODACTYLES IO g 



wolf and dog). The sense of hearing is extremely acute; the least 

 suspicious sound attracts the animal's attention. The long, conical ears 

 are very movable, and the animal turns their openings in the direction 

 whence the sound proceeds. During flight they are laid backwards, as 

 in all other herbivora (compare with hare). The eyes are large and 

 bright, pointing to the possession of sharp sight. In the inner angle 

 of the eye these animals have a pit the " lachrymal pit," which 

 lodges a peculiar gland secreting a waxy substance resembling ear-wax. 



3. No sooner has the animal observed its enemy than it takes to 

 speedy flight. It literally seems to fly along, displaying wonderful 

 power and skill in running and leaping, for which the structure of its 

 body and limbs renders it specially adapted : 



(a) The body is slender, and cuts through the air with ease, especially 

 since, in running at a great speed, the animal stretches the head forwards 

 (compare with wolf and dog). 



(b) The legs are graceful, slender, and long. The hind-legs, being 

 longer than the fore, are bent when the animal stands still, so that the 

 body remains horizontal. 



The legs are constructed on the same plan as those of the ox, but 

 the second and fifth digits are less reduced, and the hoofs are much 

 more pointed, harder, and sharp-edged. By means of its hard hoofs 

 the female, which has from one to three young annually, can deal out 

 severe blows in defence of its offspring. 



4. The male possesses in its antlers formidable weapons against 

 other males of its species, as well as against enemies, being able to 

 inflict serious wounds even on man. The fights with the members of its 

 own species take place in July and August, its object being the possession 

 of the females (does), with whom it lives in a state of polygamy. These 

 fights are sometimes conducted with such passion that one of the com- 

 batants is left dead on the field. Let us now inquire into the origin of 

 these peculiar weapons. 



Towards the end of the winter of the animal's first year of life two 

 bony processes, which persist during the whole life of the animal, and 

 are surrounded with hairy skin, are developed upon the frontal bone. 

 In the following spring two spear-shaped antlers are developed from 

 the tips of the bony protuberances, and are covered with a velvety 

 skin (the velvet). The antlers are at first soft, and bleed on the least 

 injury, which the animal, accordingly, takes the utmost care to avoid. 

 By the subsequent deposition of calcium carbonates and phosphates, 

 they gradually harden into true, massive bones. The circulation of 

 blood then ceases, the velvet dries up, and is "peeled off" by rubbing 

 against the stems and branches of trees. The animal is now known as 



