74 FOREST CEEATURES. 



branch with the spreading points all collected in the 

 crown. However we do not find additional ramifications 

 springing from a part of the horn where, as would seem, 

 it were contrary to nature's plan that they should appear. 

 It is a law of nature, that after the tray antler another 



independent spray shall not grow out of the beam. 

 Others there are above it, it is true, but these belong to 

 and form part of the crown. Nor does a point below 

 the crown, deviating from what also seems to be a fixed 

 law in the animal's economy, grow backwards instead of 

 forwards. You may see any formation, even the most 



