22 THE MAMMALS OF THE WOODS 



between which its direction is always kept. A branching of the main beam at its 

 summit occurs, without exception, above the trez-tine. At the place where this 

 starts a side stem branches off from the main beam, which rises in a curved 

 line, turning outwards and forwards at the same time. Thus arises a fork, 



ABNORMAL RED DEER ANTLERS. 



which appears first in the eight-pointer. By means of their increasing 

 complexity, the stages of development of the antlers may be defined. The 

 brocket bears slender, undivided beams with smooth outward curves that have 

 no angle, and no inwardly inclined tips. A stag with its second antlers carries 

 on the main beam, which is not very different from that of the brocket, a weak, 



