ON THE GROWTH OF DEER-HORNS. 357 



a stag four, or even six, years old ; but this is likewise incorrect. The one 

 I had was kept, as is well known, for nearly seven years in a dry land field 

 facing the south, of less than one acre, with a shed for him to go into, with 

 not a drop of water in the field, nor ever having any given him {and no 

 artificial food) — nothing but the natural grass of the field. When he was 

 first put into the field there was a small mow of hay in one corner, which 

 remained there for two years ; as he never touched it, it was taken away 

 and given to the cattle. 



" This animal therefore lived under great disadvantages, having nothing 

 but the same piece of land to graze over year after year, summer and winter, 

 so that he was not (as has been misrepresented) kept highly fed, but the 

 contrary, the purpose being to see the natural growth of the horns. And 

 what has the experiment proved? that the character and growth of the 

 horns depend almost entirely on the natural disposition of the animal ; 

 otherwise how can it be accounted for that one in his wild and natural state 

 shall have a splendid head, with all his rights, and another quite the con- 

 trary? If it is owing to either or both of the parents, there surely must 

 have been as fine heads as the one J possess ; but then, I ask, what has 

 become of them ? For my own part, I know not where to find one. 



"I will now give some particulars of the head and horns in my 

 possession, with some remarks thereon. 



" Before the animal was one year old the horns began to appear, about 

 the latter end of May. In the following April these were shed, when they 

 were nine inches long. A very short time afterwards others began to be deve- 

 loped, and in the latter end of April these were also shed, though not both 

 on the same day. Tiiese had 'brow,' 'bay,' and 'tray,' upright — altogether 

 upwards of two feet in length. In his third year he had the same kind of 

 antlers, with two points on top on one horn, and two and an offer on the 

 other. In his fourth year, antlers as before, with two points and an offer 

 on each horn. In \iis fifth year, antlers the same, with three points on each 

 top. In his sixth year, antlers as before, with four points on each top. In 

 his seventh year (when he was killed), antlers as before, though on one horn 

 the points were not so perfect as in his sixth year. It will thus be seen this 

 deer had seven on each horn, making together fourteen. 



" I do not think there is much difference in the points, &c., up to ten 

 years of age, but the beam increases in size, antlers, &c., in length. After 

 that age I believe the horns get shorter and wider at the spread. 



" In judging a stag's age it must be borne in mind that, by the increase 

 of the base of the horn or coronet, and projection of the i)urr, with the size 

 of the beam, the greater distinctness of the superficial furrows, together 

 with the length of the antlers and number of points, a stag's age may be 

 nearly ascertained, but then only up to a certain period. 



"The head and horns of the animal just spoken of were exhibited at 



