198 NATURAL THEOLOGT. 



Let us consider the structure, growth, and de- 

 cay of the deer's horns, as an example of the most 

 rapid growth of bone, and a curious instance of 

 its appropriation to a particular purpose. And, 

 first, why should these antlers be deciduous, falling 

 at an appointed season ? The breeder of domes- 

 tic cattle and horses endeavours to propagate the 

 favourite qualities of fleece or carcase, of speed 

 or power, by crossing. Nature accomplishes her 

 purpose by giving to the strongest. 



The antlers of the stag which is in maturity 

 and vigorous health grow with the greatest spread 

 of palms and crotches : with the growth of the 

 horn there is increase of strength in the neck and 

 shoulder.* We cannot be surprised, then, that 

 in contention with his rivals, he that carries the 

 largest antlers should obtain supremacy over the 

 herd. After the season, his antlers fall ; and we 

 then find the stag feeding. with the other males, 

 which before he had driven off. Be this, how- 

 ever, as it may, the growth and fall of the horn is 

 a remarkable phenomenon, and deserving further 

 consideration. 



The horn of the deer is bone, and is formed as 

 an internal part : that is to say, it is covered du- 

 ring its growth. It grows from the outer table of 

 the skull, a ; but there extends, at the same time, 

 jfrom the integuments of the head, a soft vascular 

 coTering, h^ like velvet, so that, during the whole 



* The carotid artery, which nourislics the head, increases 

 pidly in size during the growth oftlie antlers. 



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