no 



TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



a " brocket." In the 



following 



autumn the antlers, the lower, disc- 

 like ends of which are known as 

 "burrs," become loose and drop 

 off. A few days afterwards the 

 beginnings of a new pair become 

 visible, these being developed in 

 exactly the same manner as the 

 "beams" of the first year, but 

 having in addition a lateral basal 

 branch, or brow tyne, the animal 

 being now termed a "forker" (two- 

 year-old). In the next change of 

 antlers each of the beams bears two 

 v branches, or prongs, 



and the "forker" 

 has thus developed 

 into a six-point 

 buck. By further 

 additions of lateral 

 branches, as many 

 as eight or ten 

 prongs are de- 

 veloped in excep- 

 tional cases. 



5. As compared 

 with a carnivorous 

 animal (e.g., the 

 wild cat), the roe, 

 on the whole, must 

 be considered a 

 somewhat defence- 

 less animal. 

 During the time 

 the antlers are 

 A being formed, even 

 the male shyly 

 avoids every 

 danger, nor would 

 the female venture 

 to defend herself 



against the fox if she were not impelled by an all- overpowering mother's 

 love for her young. As a rule, the buck seeks salvation in speedy flight. 



ANTLERS OF THE ROEBUCK AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT. 



1. Lower end of the shed antler, with the burr, R. 



2. Upper end of a pedicle, shortly after shedding of the antler, 

 ring-shaped swelling shows the commencement of the growth of the 

 new antler; this swelling after two weeks is larger, as at 3, and 4 (a 

 week later) shows the young antler growing out. 



5. Complete antler of a six-point stag in the velvet. 



6. Hardened and peeled antlers of a six-point buck ; K pedicles, 

 R burr. 



