104 FOREST CREATURES. 



horn of the hoof to rub off on the hard surface of the 

 stone, like a pencil line. It is seldom seen, as a certain 

 concatenation of circumstances is necessary to produce 

 it. (Bleizeichen.) 



8. We have seen above (Beitritt) that the stag some- 

 times brings up the hind leg so as to leave an impres- 

 sion beside that of the fore foot. Instead of finding 

 them beside each other, they may be found behind each 

 other. The cause of both is the same : with the stag 

 his being burthened with flesh prevents him from step- 

 ping out so well, and the hind is hindered by the burden 

 she carries within her. (Hinterbleiben.) 



It is curious to observe how, as the good season ad- 

 vances, and the stag grows fatter and flesh accumulates 

 on his haunches, he from month to month remains fur- 

 ther behind with the hind foot. In June when he is 

 beginning to get into condition, he already brings up 

 the hind foot less well in front than hitherto. (See 

 illustration f.) A month later his limbs are still less free 

 and active (see illustration a) ; and in August he is so 

 portly of body that he does not bring the hind foot fur- 

 ther to the front than is seen in illustration h. These 

 three drawings of the position of the slots of a stag of 

 twelve points, in June and July and August, show 

 clearly how greatly the condition of the stag's body in- 

 fluences his walk, and how, therefore, it is possible to 

 say with certainty, when looking at his tracks, whether 



