MAMMALIA RUMINANTIA DIAGRAM 3 . 



51 



head which soon heal. The skiu rises at 

 the same time ; and this is caused by the 

 new antlers beginning to grow. Till they 

 have reached their full size, they are 

 covered with skin and flesh ; and this skin 

 afterwards dies and dries up, falls 

 off in flakes, and the antlers remain, 

 which will fall off in their turn before 

 a year. At seven years old, the stag's 

 antlers have ten forks, and the animal 

 which bears them is called dix-cors, or 

 Royal Sari. 



The fallow-deer is smaller than the stag ; 

 Head of deer. and the male has much smaller horns. 



The hide of these animals is generally covered with white 

 spots, which give them a very elegant appearance. They 

 live in parks with us. 



The roe-deer is smaller than the fallow deer, and has only very 

 short horns. They live in families, which the 

 members do not quit. 



The rein-deer has also some resemblance to 

 the stag. It is one of the ruminants in which 

 the female carries horns as well as the male, 

 though they are much smaller. As in the stag, 

 they are shed annually. The rein-deer 

 inhabits cold countries, where it is the only 

 Head of Roebuck, domestic animal except the dog. In winter it 

 browses on the lichens which grow on the ground under the 

 snow, which is enough for its support. The inhabitants of these 

 countries use its skin and milk, and harness it to their sledges. 

 The rein-deer has very large cloven hoofs, and does not sink in 

 the snow. 



THE ANTELOPES form a family which includes wild ruminants, 

 sometimes of large size, and they have true horns like oxen, 

 which do not fall off. To this family belongs the gazelle, one of 



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