592 



been removed to show the plexus or ' rete mirabile ' formed by the internal carotid on each 

 side of the ' sella turcica." 



Prepared from a specimen presented by Sir Philip de 



Malpas GreyEgerton, Bart., M.P. 



3569. Part of the calvarium, with the antlers, of a mature Fallow-deer (Cervus 

 Dama), with the integument or velvet retained. 



The memorandum with this specimen states that " they were not shed at the usual time in 

 consequence of the castration of the animal, from which period that process ceases." 



Obs. Neither the place nor date of the operation is mentioned. The latter part of the state- 

 ment seems to have been made in accordance with the current belief in the effect of castration from the 

 time of REDI, who states, " Si cervus juvenis castretur, nondum emissis cornubus, cornua nunquam 

 emittit : si castretur jam emissis cornubus, cornua nunquam mutat ; sed quae dum castratur habet, 

 castratus semper retinet. " (Experimenta Naturalia, 12mo, 1675, p. 162.) 



That these propositions are not in accordance with nature, at least as regards the Fallow-deer (Cervus 

 Dama), is proved by the experiments instituted by Sir Philip de Malpas Grey Egerton, Bart., of which 

 the specimens Nos. 3558 to 3568 are the results. No. 3561, for example, shows that the antlers which 

 the buck had when it was castrated, instead of being always retained, were shed six months sooner 

 than usual, the effect of the operation having been to stimulate the absorbent action which the base of 

 the antlers shows to have gone on with unusual activity. Specimen No. 3559 also disproves the first 

 part of Redi's statement, showing that when a young buck is castrated before it has developed any 

 antlers it nevertheless does develope them, although of abnormal size and shape, and that they are 

 retained longer than usual, but in some instances are shed and renewed ; always, however, when shed 

 exhibiting the characteristic excavation at the base noticed in the specimens No. 3562. 



Presented by Sir Everard Home, Bart., V.P.R.S. 



3570. The cranium and antlers of a Virginian Deer (Cervus Virginianus). 



The antlers are at their full state of development : the beam bifurcates about eight inches 

 from its base, and each branch again bifurcates. 



Purchased. 



3571. The calvarium and antlers of a Virginian Deer (Cervus Virginianus}. 



Mus. Leverian. 



3572. A calvarium and antlers, which had not shed their velvet, of a Deer, resem- 

 bling in the general characters of the antlers the Cervus Virginianus. 



The beam bifurcates and each branch again bifurcates, excepting the anterior one on the 

 right side, which developes a third snag. A tubercle or rudimental snag may be observed 

 upon the beam before its division in No. 3570 : the corresponding process on the right antler 

 of the present specimen is more developed. The beam is compressed and thins off to an edge 

 anteriorly, the whole antler being much shorter in proportion than those of the preceding 



