30 THE ANTELOPE OF AMERICA. 



wliicli was already tipped with perfected horn, and a section 

 below it was more or less hardened, or partially converted into 

 horn. This intervening section gi-adaally moved down the horn, 

 constantly invading the soft skin below, and followed above with 

 perfected horn. All this time the liorn was growing in length 

 above the core, and assuming that posterior curvature near its 

 upper part which so much resembles the curvature of the horn of 

 the chamois. After the horn is perfected down to the top of the 

 core, it ceases to increase in length, while the apparently convert- 

 ing process steadily progresses downward along or around the 

 core. The core being laterally compressed, the horn assumes 

 that form, not, however, conforming precisely to the shape of the 

 core, but extending considerably in front of it, where it is thinner 

 than the posterior part. 



At the upper extremity of the wide, flattened part the snag 

 or prong is thrown out, which consists of little more than an 

 abrupt termination of the wide part, with an elevated anterior 

 point. 



By the latter part of winter, on the adult, the horn has at- 

 tained about this stage of growth. From this it presses on, hard- 

 ening in its downward growth till the latter part of summer, or 

 the commencement of the rut, by which time the growth is per- 

 fected down to the base, and is a complete weapon for warfare, 

 and it so continues during the rut, and until the growth of the 

 new horn is commenced and loosens the old one from its core, 

 and raises it from its seat, as has been described. 



But science is by no means satisfied with these superficial ob- 

 servations. It is exceedingly interesting to watcli the progress 

 from day to day ; to observe how the old horn is thrown off and 

 the new one grows on to perfection ; but we desire to know liow 

 it is that the soft warm skin, everywhere permeated with blood- 

 vessels, in a very high state of activity, appears in so short a 

 time to be converted into the black, hard shell, as perfect horn 

 as grows upon the buffalo or the antelope, which takes a lifetime 

 to perfect it. In this investigation I am indebted to the able 

 assistance of Professor Lester Curtis of Chicago, whose superior 

 instruments and. skill with the microscope, readily solved what 

 appears to the superficial observer so exceptional, and I may add 

 so wonderful. We found, however, that this growth is not so 

 exceptional after all. It is like the growth of the horns of other 

 ruminants, like that of the hoofs and claws of animals, and of the 

 nails on the human subject. And it is only because of its rapid 



