TRACK I XG DEER BY SLOT. 107 



general shape the slot of deer resembles the 

 marks left by sheep, but is much larger, 

 longer, and wider. The slot of a stag is at 

 once distinguished from that of a hind by its 

 greater proportionate size, and by each half 

 being longer and more pointed. There is a 

 ridge between the two halves of the hoof 

 mark ; the two halves of the hoof opening 

 somewhat let the soft earth rise up between 

 them. Each half is narrower and elongated 

 and well separated. That of the hind, in 

 comparison, has little or no ridge between, 

 or the ridge is very thin, the slot is not so 

 long, and the outline somewhat heart- 

 shaped. 



The broad, rounded end of the slot is 

 the heel, and the points point in the direc- 

 tion the animal was moving. With age the 

 size and length of the slot varies ; that of a 

 yearling is less than that of one two years 

 old, and a full-grown stag of course leaves 

 the largest mark. Practice renders these as 

 quickly distinguished as the capital letters 



