7b FOEEST CREATURES. 



here exhibited, we must see before us, we raust lift with 

 our own hands and raise into the air, the noble trophy 

 of some chase of other days ; with beams arm-thick, 

 and the very points of the crown even massy and of 

 sturdy strength.* 



A stag of unusual size made the woods of Homberg 

 in the Cassel territory his haunt. He kept so hidden 

 in the recesses of the forest that it was only from an 

 occasional account brought by the peasantry that any- 

 thing was known about him. At last, at the end of the 

 rutting season in 1571, he was found dead in theforest^ 

 having fallen in battle with the other stags. Landgrave 

 William had the antlers painted, and sent the picture to 

 his brother, with the remark that they were magnificent, 

 and with thirty-two points ; and had not some been broken 

 in the fray they would doubtless have amounted to forty, 

 or even more. 



But the one with the largest number of sprays I 

 know of, is that still existing at Moritzburg near 

 Dresden, with sixty-six sprays, which belonged to a stag 

 shot by Frederick I. in 1699. The weight of the animal 

 however did not exceed 665 lbs. 



* The antlers here given are taken from the collection of Count Max 

 Arco in Munich, who most obligingly placed the whole at my disposal, 

 to have copies taken of whichever I might select. So many and such 

 magnificent specimens were probably never before brought together. 

 There are besides many extraordinary formations, and roe antlers which, 

 for size and peculiarity of growth, I consider to be unique. 



