136 HISTORY OF QUADRUPEDS. 



horns are straight and single; the third year pro- 

 duces two antlers, the fourth three, the fifth four ; 

 and when arrived at the sixth year, the antlers 

 amount to six or seven on each side; but the num- 

 ber is not always certain. 



The Stag begins to shed his horns the latter end 

 of February, or the beginning of March. Soon 

 after the old horn has fallen off, a soft tumour 

 begins to appear, which is soon covered with a 

 down like velvet: this tumour every day buds forth, 

 like the graft of a tree; and, rising by degrees, 

 shoots out the antlers on each side: the skin con- 

 tinues to cover it for some time, and is furnished 

 with blood-vessels, which supply the growing horns 

 with nourishment, and occasion the furrows obser- 

 vable in them when that covering is stript off: the 

 impression is deeper at the bottom, where the ves- 

 sels are larger, and diminishes towards the point, 

 where they are smooth. When the horns are at 

 their full growth, they acquire strength and solidity; 

 and the velvet covering or skin, with its blood- 

 vessels, dries up and begins to fall off; which the 

 animal endeavours to hasten, by rubbing them 

 against the trees ; and, in this manner, the whole 

 head gradually acquires its complete hardness, ex- 

 pansion and beauty. 



Soon after the Stags have polished their horns, 

 which is not completed till July or August, they 

 quit the thickets, and return to the forests; they 

 cry with a loud and tremulous note, and fly from 

 place to place, in search of the females, with ex- 

 treme ardour; their necks swell; they strike with 

 their horns against trees, and other obstacles, and 

 become extremely furious. At this season, when 

 two Stags meet, their contests are often desperate, 



