THE STAG. 



61 



have unfolded in full pride and majesty : each point is 

 hard beneath the protecting velvet sheath, and the 

 brown covering may now be dispensed with. Accord- 

 ingly, about the Feast of St. John the stag rubs his 

 new antlers against the stems of young trees, and strips 

 off the thick skin-like rind which shielded them in 



their embryo state. But this is not always done at 

 once ; and the stag may often be seen at this season with 

 the antlers still partly covered, while in some places the 

 new horn appears shining in its fresh ivory whiteness. 

 Here and there, on this or that point, the velvet, not 

 quite detached, will hang down in ribands, dangling 

 about, like some fantastic ornament. But though the 



