THE MUSK ANIMAL. 301 



consciousness of their use destroys their power 

 of administering delight. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



ANIMALS OF THE DEER KIND. 



IF we compare the stag and the bull as to shape 

 and form, no two animals can be more unlike ; 

 and yet, if we examine their internal structure, 

 we shall find a striking similitude between them. 

 Indeed their differences, except to a nice observer, 

 will scarcely be perceivable. All of the deer kind 

 want the gall-bladder ; their kidneys are formed 

 differently j their spleen is also proportionably 

 larger ; their tail is shorter ; and their horns, 

 which are solid, are renewed every year.t Such 

 are the slight internal discriminations between 

 two animals, one of which is among the swiftest, 

 and the other the heaviest of the brute creation. 



The stag is one of those innocent and peace- 

 able animals that seem made to embellish the 

 forest, and animate the solitudes of nature. The 

 easy elegance of his form, the lightness of his 

 motions, those large branches that seem made 

 rather for the ornament of his head than its de- 

 fence, the size, the strength, and the swiftness of 

 this beautiful creature, all sufficiently rank him 



[{ These animals have eight fore-teeth in the under jaw, and they have 

 no dog-teeth.] 



