THE STAG. 105 



his back has ah'eady grown broad, and his ribs are 

 well covered with flesh. 



But if the two signs. No. 6 aud No. 8, are both pre- 

 sent in the slot ; that is to say; if the impression of the 

 hind foot is not only behind the other but is also some- 

 vjhat to the side of it, as is the case in drawing e, 

 you may be sure the stag is superlatively good. Is the 

 slot that of a hind, you may be equally sure she will 

 soon drop her calf. 



If you find this sign at a season when the stag is not 

 in condition and the hind not with calf, you may be 

 certain that the animal in question is very old ; for it is 

 that stiffness in the joints and sinews caused by age, 

 which alone has prevented either animal from bringing 

 the hind legs so well up as a younger one would have 

 done. 



9. In passing over a sticky soil after rain, a piece 

 of earth often remains in the stag's hoof, which he lets 

 fall as soon as he treads on grass ground. (Insiegel.) 

 This a hind never does. 



As also he shoves his feet forwards into the soil in 

 walking along, he is apt, when lifting them, to lift with 

 them and ujpon his hoofs in front, a clod of the marshy 

 ground which he is crossing, and to leave it behind him 

 turned upside down as soon as he reaches a meadow or 

 road. This is called the " Hohe Insiegel," and is also 

 only found in the track of the male animal. 



