ANTLER AND FERN. 65 



and capable of giving a wound like a spear, 

 they are not fixed to the bone of the head, 

 nor do they grow like the cow's horn — deeply 

 rooted ; they seem, indeed, to have scarcely 

 any root or hold, and yet are perfectly firm 

 till the proper time arrives to shed them. 

 The stag then retires into the woods, and it- 

 is believed tries to drop his horns in a place 

 where he thinks they are least likely to be 

 found. He separates himself from his 

 companion stags, and keeps alone at this 

 moment. It is possible that he may drag 

 brambles or branches over the dropped 

 antlers if they chance to grow at hand ; for 

 it is remarkable that few horns are found 

 compared to the number that must be shed, 

 and those that are found are more often 

 single horns than pairs. Certainly the 

 extent of the woods is very great, but they 

 are traversed by gamekeepers and others, 

 the moors are crossed by shepherds, and all 

 keep a keen look-out for horns which are 

 valuable. 



F 



