2,-1). 



THE ZOOLOGIST. 



THIRD SERIES. 



Vol. VIII.] SEPTEMBER, lfi84. [No. 93. 



ON THE GROWTH OF DEER-HORNS, WITH REFERENCE 

 TO SOME ABNORMAL ANTLERS OF THE ROE. 



By the Editor. 



The manner in which the horns of deer are shed and 

 annually reproduced is one of the most curious phenomena in 

 Natural History. 



The exact time of shedding the horns depends in some 

 measure upon the age of the animal and the temperature of the 

 winter and early spring. They are sometimes shed towards the 

 end of February or beginning of March ; but should the winter 

 be cold and spring protracted stags shed their horns as late as 

 May — the old ones at the beginning, the young ones at the end 

 of that month. 



It is very rarely, however, that an old stag is seen with his 

 old horns on after the beginning of May; but a two-year-old 

 deer will carry them for a month or two later. 



In a few days after the old horns have dropped, the new 

 growth shows itself, and gradually the new antlers are developed : 

 they are then covered with a thick velvet, which preserves the 

 point, as yet soft and tender, from injury. While in this soft 

 condition they are very sensitive, and to avoid injury from 

 striking against trees the deer leads a life of retirement. In 

 about ten or twelve weeks they are full grown, and as they 

 gradually harden, the animal rubs them against a tree to get rid 

 of the velvet. This can only be done gradually, and a deer may 

 often be seen at this time of year with the velvet hanging in 

 strips, being only partially detached from the horns. 



ZOOLOGIST.— SEPT. 1884. 2 E 



