RUMINANTIA. 1G7 



bony prominence being laid bare, at the expiration of a certain period 

 separates from the cranium to which it was attaclied, falls, and the animal 

 remains defenceless. Others, however, are re-produced generally larger 

 than before, and destined to undergo the same revolutions. These horns, 

 purely osseous, and subject to periodical changes, are styled antlers. 



Cervus, Lin. 



The Stags are the whole of the Ruminantia which have heads armed 

 with antlers; the females, however, the Rein-Deer alone excepted, are 

 always without them. The substance of these antlers, when completely 

 developed, is that of a very dense bone without pores or sinus. Their 

 figure varies greatly according to the species, and even in each species at 

 different ages. These animals are excessively fleet, live commonly in the 

 forest, and feed on herbs, leaves, buds of trees, &c. 



We distinguish in the first place those species whose antlers are either 

 wholly or partially flattened, viz. 



C. alces, L. ; Elk or Elend, in the north of Europe ; Moose- 

 Deer of the Americans; Original of the Canadians; Buff. Supp. 

 VII. Ixxx. (The Moose). As large as a Horse, and sometimes 

 larger ; stands very high ; the muzzle cartilaginous and inflated ; a 

 sort of goitre, or pendulous swelling, variously shaped, under the 

 throat ; hair always very stiff, and of a more or less deep ash-colour. 

 The antlers of the male at first simple (en dague), and then divided 

 into narrow slips, assume, in the fifth year, the form of a triangular 

 blade, denticulated on the external edge, and mounted on a pedicle. 

 They increase with age, so as to weigh fifty or sixty pounds, and to 

 have fourteen branches to each horn. The Moose lives in small 

 troops, and inhabits the marshy forests of the north of both conti- 

 nents. Its skin is valuable for the Shamoy manufactures. 



C. tarandus, L. ; Buff. Supp. III. xviii., bis. (The Rein-Deer). 

 Size of a Stag, but has shorter and stouter legs ; both sexes have 

 antlers, divided into several branches, at first slender and pointed, 

 and terminating by age in broad denticulated palms ; the hair, which 

 is brown in summer, becomes white in winter.* The Rein-Deer is 

 confined to the glacial countries of both continents, and is the animal 

 so highly celebrated for the services it renders the Laplanders, who 

 have numerous herds of them, which in the summer they lead to the 

 mountains, and in winter bring back to the plains. They are their 

 only beasts of burden and draught ; their flesh and milk serve them 

 for food, their skins for clothing, &c. 



C. dama, L., BufF. VI. xxvii and xxviii. (The Daim or Fallow- 

 Deer.) Less than the Stag; in winter of a blackish brown, in sum- 

 mer fawn coloured, spotted with white ; the buttocks always white, 

 bordered on each side with a black stripe; tail longer than the Stag's, 

 black above, white underneath. The horn of the male has a round 



* It is probably owing to this change that the ancients were induced to believe 

 that the tarandus could assume any colour it wished. 



