f 192 



off. The truth seems to be this : they are a sort of 

 vegetables, growing on- animals, as the oasis and hair 

 on man, and feathers on birds. And there is some 

 analogy between the growth of them, and that of 

 branches and leaves on trees. Trees commonly drop 

 their leaves in autumn, because the nourishing juice 

 flows into them no longer. And at certain periods, 

 these parts of die animal drop oiF, because the blood 

 and juices cease to flow in them. At this time, the 

 hollow part at the root of the horn grows hard, and 

 the pores through which the juices passed, grows up. 

 And as no more nourishment can then be carried to 

 the horn, it decays and falls off. It is probable this 

 stoppage of the pores happens, as soon as the horns 

 are at their full growth. But they are so fixed to the 

 head, that it takes a long time for them to loosen and 

 fall. Whereas in leaves, their stalks are so tender, 

 that when the juice ceases to flow, they presently 

 wither and fall. 



The analogy between the falling off of decrs horns 

 and the falling of leaves and ripe fruit from the 

 tree, will receive light from observing the process of 

 nature in the latter case. If the stalk from which a 

 ripe orange has fallen, be compared with that part of 

 a deer's forehead, fro'n which a horn is just fallen, it 

 will plainly appear that nature has operated by the 

 samelaws in both. The young horns, while yet soft, 

 are full of blood-vessels ; and if cut oil', especially 

 near the head, bleed violently. By these vessels 

 they are supplied with nourishment for their 

 growth. But these dry up, when there is im farther 

 occasion for them. And hence it is, that no ill symp- 

 toms attend the failing oil of these parts, when full 

 grown. 



So far we may give a probable account: But 



who can account for this, that if a stag be castrated, 

 while he is so young as not to have horns, he will never 

 have any : and if castrated afterward^ while his horns 

 are on, he will never cast them J 



