A NEW WONDER IN NATURAL HISTORY. 39 



really was the truth. Already in 1836 repeated investi- 

 gations were made in Brnnswick with a view to throw light 

 on the mystery, and again in 1843. But although certain 

 results were obtained, and facts — incontrovertible facts 

 — proclaimed which fixed, at least, the period of the 

 rutting season, still it was only in 1854, after a ten years' 

 study, that Professor Bischoff, of Munich*, was enabled 

 to solve all doubts, and prove the existence of a new 

 wonder. 



In order to show wherein the difficulty of a solution 

 lay, it will be necessary to allude to the many contending 

 incidents observed by the forester and the naturalist ; 

 and to this end it is best to recount briefly what Dietrich 

 aus dem Winkell tells us of his surmises, his investiga- 

 tions, his doubts, and his conclusions. It is necessary, 

 however, to premise by stating that in July and August 

 the buck may be seen pursuing the doe ; and that at 

 such season it is enough to imitate with nicety the cry 

 of the female to bring the roebuck leaping along 

 through the coppice to meet and dally with his para- 

 mour. This ivas certain, and ivas hioivn to all as a 

 certainty. Equally imdeniable was the fact that in JMay 

 the young fawns were born. 



This is the same time therefore as the hind (red-deer) 

 maybe seen with her fawTi, and yet the rutting season of 

 the stag takes place at the end of August, or beginning of 



* Then of Giessen, 

 D 4 



