ORDER RUMINANTIA. 93 



extrication, and both die on the spot*. At this time they 

 frequent the water's side to bathe and cool themselves, and 

 they swim with great ease. At first the Hind flies, but is 

 pursued and overpowered. The oldest stags rut first, and 

 the season lasts about three weeks ; the younger following 

 in succession, so that the period does not terminate till the 

 end of November. After this they are exhausted, and re- 

 tire to the cover : if there be a great quantity of acorns, 

 they are soon recovered. The Hind is gravid eight months 

 and some days, and produces usually but one fawn or calf, 

 in May or the beginning of June. She conceals it, and 

 exposes herself to the pursuit of dogs to lead them from 

 her young ; the Calf remains with the Hind during the 

 summer, and in winter the animals of all ages and sexes 

 congregate into herds, more and more numerous as the 

 season increases in severity. On the return of spring, the 

 Hinds withdraw into concealment to drop their calves, and 

 the Stags to shed their horns and regain them ; the younger 

 and the Brockets remaining together, till they part also to 

 mew theirs. 



The ancients gave the Stag a prodigious longevity ; but 

 the latest observers allow him scarce more than twenty 

 years, which is, probably, less than his average life in 

 those countries where he can feed and range undisturbed by 

 man. Hinds are asserted to have been found with horns, 

 but no well-authenticated fact places this beyond a doubt. 

 The adult Stag is from three feet six inches to four feet 

 high at the shoulder, and the horns seldom reach three feet 

 in length. Mr. Pennant asserts that the Stags of Siberia 



* I have seen two instances of skulls of stags entangled by the 

 horns, and still inextricable, found in the woods, where they must 

 have perished from inanition. I have also met with one of Elk's 

 heads similarly locked together. It is still more frequent with the 

 Rein-deer. Animals found in this state are named Gusgazkiak by 

 the Laplanders. 



