THE STAG. 101 



the stag this thread-like line bends downward into the 

 hollow formed by the point of his hoof. In the hind 

 it forms a continnous line with the surface of the 

 ground, as is seen in the illustrations B, I, and m. 

 In the slot of the stag it will never be so ; and though 

 this "Fadlein" forms an unbroken line to the very 

 point of the hoof, the point where it ends will be 

 always in the concavity^ and not joining the rim or 

 upper outer line of the impression of the hoof. 



The difference is perceptible even in the slot of either 

 animal in infancy ; and the illustrations L, M, here 

 given of each while yet a calf, show either peculiarity 

 with great distinctness. 



2. The stag, in stepping, treads with considerable force 

 the rounded ball-shaped hind parts of the hoof, which 

 are larger in a stag than in the hind, deep into the earth. 

 This naturally presses the soil forivards towards the 

 point of the hoof. In lifting his hoof /ro?7i the ground, 

 it is peculiar to him to press the points into the earth 

 and shove the soil backivard. These two opposite move- 

 ments cause a heart-shaped elevation, like the impress 

 of a seal, to be left in the slot. As the hind treads flat 

 on the ground she cannot leave behind such rounded 

 impression, called in Grerman " Burgstall." This is 

 very distinctly marked in the drawings A and d, as well 

 in the slot of a male calf, l. The difference will be at 

 once perceived by comparing drawings l and m. 



H 3 



