THE STAG. 59 



mounted by a triple-prong, the stag is denominated 

 a " royal " hart, such ornament in the language of 

 venery being termed the crown. Sometimes from one 

 or both beams, another thick branch will put forth, 

 sending out again fresh offsets, even as a green bough 

 that is abundantly nourished by dew and luxuriant soil. 

 Then indeed such stag is a majestic sight ; a very forest 

 of branches seems rising above his head; and as he 

 advances towards you, you acknowledge that his presence 

 is most imposing. Heavy as such ornament is, it is 

 borne with all possible ease, and the head is turned on 

 either side with a graceful motion, moved languidly 

 backwards, or tossed skywards with a bold air, even as 

 though the spreading branches were lightsome as a 

 flower. 



The weight of the antlers varies, according to their 

 size and massiveness, from ten, twelve, to fifteen 

 pounds; those of a stag of twenty-four, killed in Dessau, 

 weighed thirty-two pounds. 



This casting and reproduction of the horn, growing 

 plant-like on the living animal, is undoubtedly one of 

 the most wonderful phenomena in natural history. It 

 is so curious and wonderful, that it would be looked 

 upon as a fable were it related of a creature in a distant 

 land, and which none of us had ever seen. And, though 

 the stag is a dweller on our island, there are thousands 

 at the present day who have no correct knowledge of 



