HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



135 



THE STAG, OR RED-DEER. 



(Cervus Eleplias, Linn. Le CVr/, Buff.) 



THIS is the most beautiful animal of the Deer 

 kind. The elegance of his form, the lightness of 

 his motions, the flexibility of his limbs, his bold, 

 branching horns, which are annually renewed, his 

 grandeur, strength, and swiftness, give him a de- 

 cided pre-eminence over every other inhabitant of 

 the forest. 



The age of the Stag is known by its horns. The 

 first year exhibits only a short protuberance, which 

 is covered with a hairy skin; the next year the 



