THE STAG. 103 



she does not press the two parts of her cloven hoof 

 together, the blade of grass is not pulled off when she 

 raises her hoof. (Einschlag.) 



6. It will sometimes happen that the impression 

 made by the stag's hind foot is about a finger's breadth 

 beside that left by the fore foot. This is occasioned by 

 the broadness of his back and the additional flesh that 

 has accumulated on his haunches. He is broader now 

 behind than in front ; his two hind legs stand farther 

 apart than the fore legs, and consequently when he 

 brings them up toward these in walking, they leave 

 an impression on the ground beside the slot made by 

 the fore foot, instead of on or behind it. See draw- 

 ing E. This sign, consequently, indicates the presence 

 of a stag in prime condition : one that will furnish a 

 saddle and haunch of venison with some fingers thick 



o 



of fat. 



A hind when pregnant does the same, but not for 

 any considerable distance. Moreover, as the time when 

 the stag is in prime condition is different from that when 

 the hind is with calf, there can be no fear of making a 

 mistake in such a slot. (Beitritt.) 



7. Another sign indicative of a very good stag is 

 when the animal has left the mark of his hoofs, as if 

 drawn with a lead pencil, on a stone. The great weight of 

 the stag — and it is only a very heavy and consequently 

 splendid animal that leaves such marks — causes the 



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