

V ERTEBRATA. 



WAITING FOR THE HERD. 



'"in- ol these countries during the Middle Ages, and even at a later period. A stag hunt was 



ind 1 the grandest sport of the higher gentry, and far surpassed in excitement the modern chase 



of the tux. Scott's description, at the opening of the "Lady of the Lake," is equally beautiful 



and trtii- : 



" The stag, at eve, had drunk his fill, 

 While danced the moon on Monan's rill, 

 And deep his midnight lair had made 

 In lone Glenartnev's hazel shade ; 

 But, ere the sun his beacon red 

 Had kindled on Ben-Voirlich's head, 

 The deep-mouthed bloodhounds' heavy bay, 

 Resounded up the rocky way, 

 And faint, from farther distance borne. 

 The echo of the hoof and horn. 

 Veiled on the view the opening pack, 

 Rock, glen, and cavern paid them back. 

 To many a mingled sound at once 

 The awaken' d mountain gave response: 

 A hundred dogs bayed deep and strong, 

 Clattered a hundred steeds along; 

 Their penis the merry horns rung out, 

 A hundred voices joined the shout; 

 With whoop! and hark! and wild halloo! 

 No rest Ben-Voirlich's echoes knew. 

 Far from the tumult (led the roe; 

 ('lose in her covert cower'd the doe; 

 The falcon from her cairn on high, 

 Cast on the rout a wondering eye, 



Till, far beyond her piercing ken, ■ , 



The hurricane had swept the glen." 



