RUMINANTIA. 167 
bony prominence being laid bare, at the expiration of a certain period 
separates from the cranium to which it was attached, falls, and the animal 
remains defenceless. Others, however, are re-produced generally larger 
than before, and destined to undergo the same revolutions. These horns, 
purely osseous, and subject to periodical changes, are styled anilers. 
Cervus, Lin. 
The Stags are the whole of the Ruminantia which have heads armed 
with antlers; the females, however, the Rein-Deer alone excepted, are 
always without them. ‘The substance of these antlers, when completely 
developed, is that of a very dense bone without pores or sinus. Their 
figure varies greatly according to the species, and even in each species at 
different ages. These animals are excessively fleet, live commonly in the 
forest, and feed on herbs, leaves, buds of trees, &c. 
We distinguish in the first place those species whose antlers are either 
wholly or partially flattened, viz. 
C. alces, L.; Elk or Elend, in the north of Europe; Moose- 
Deer of the Americans; Original of the Canadians; Buff. Supp. 
VII. Ixxx. (The Moose). As large as a Horse, and sometimes 
larger; stands very high; the muzzle cartilaginous and inflated; a 
sort of goitre, or pendulous swelling, variously shaped, under the 
throat; hair always very stiff, and of a more or less deep ash-colour. 
The antlers of the male at first simple (en dague), and then divided 
into narrow slips, assume, in the fifth year, the form of a triangular 
blade, denticulated on the external edge, and mounted on a pedicle. 
They increase with age, so as to weigh fifty or sixty pounds, and to 
have fourteen branches to each horn. The Moose lives in small 
troops, and inhabits the marshy forests of the north of both conti- 
nents. Its skin is valuable for the Shamoy manufactures. 
C. tarandus, L.; Buff. Supp. II. xviii., bis. (The Rein-Deer). 
Size of a Stag, but has shorter and stouter legs; both sexes have 
antlers, divided into several branches, at first slender and pointed, 
and terminating by age in broad denticulated palms; the hair, which 
is brown in summer, becomes white in winter.* The Rein-Deer is 
confined to the glacial countries of both continents, and is the animal 
so highly celebrated for the services it renders the Laplanders, who 
have numerous herds of them, which in the summer they lead to the 
mountains, and in winter bring back to the plains. They are their 
only beasts of burden and draught; their flesh and milk serve them 
for food, their skins for clothing, &c. 
C. dama, L., Buff. VI. xxvii and xxviii. (The Daim or Fallow- 
Deer.) Less than the Stag; in winter of a blackish brown, in sum- 
mer fawn coloured, spotted with white; the buttocks always white, 
bordered on each side with a black stripe; tail longer than the Stag’s, 
black above, white underneath. The horn of the male has a round 
* It is probably owing to this change that the ancients were induced to believe 
that the tarandus could assume any colour it wished. 
