208 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 



a very fat one. Our common deer, wliicli is usually very poor 

 during the growth of the antlers, until they are very nearly 

 formed, suddenly commences to improve in condition, and in a 

 very short time after the velvet is rubbed ofE is fatter than at 

 any other time. We need not doubt that a very few weeks at 

 the most are required to effect an equal change in this Caribou 

 when feeding upon an abundance of the most nutritious vegeta- 

 tion known to botany. 



We may safely assume that this deer is in the poorest condi- 

 tion at the time when the other deer are poorest, that is, when 

 the antlers are in their most vigorous growth ; and we may well 

 conclude that the larger proportionate size of the antlers of this 

 deer must make a greater demand on the system than occurs in 

 the case of the others. Hence we see that the deer is not only 

 poor, but as Richardson tells us, a large proportion of the elements 

 of initrition are drawn from the flesh, so that it is nearly worth- 

 less as food, while the meat of the moose, whose antler is not one 

 sixth the relative size, is still nutritious though the animal be 

 poor. 



Buff on thinks that the size of the deer's antler depends on the 

 amount of nutriment wliich he takes ; that a well-fed deer will 

 have larger antlers than one even of the same species not well 

 nourished. If this be so, then by applying the theory to this 

 species, we may find some explanation of the enormous develop- 

 ment of the antlers, for the very nutritious lichens on which 

 they feed are practically unlimited within their range. 



In form, too, as well as in size, there is an appreciable differ- 

 ence between the large and the small Caribou, although they 

 possess the same general characteristics which distinguish them 

 from those of the other Cervidse. As a general rule the beam 

 of the antler is longer in proportion to its diameter than on the 

 larger species ; it has less tines, is less palmated, and presents 

 more curvature, although exceptions to this general rule are fre- 

 quently met with. 



In speaking of the Northern Indians, Richardson says : " Of 

 the caribou horns they form their fish spears and hooks, and 

 previous to the introduction of European iron, ice-chisels, and va- 

 rious other utensils were likewise made of them." This is cer- 

 tainly suggestive of the solidity and tenacity of these antlers, 

 and shows that although so large and grown in so short a season, 

 their growth is quite as perfect, and they are as well matured as 

 the antlers of any of the other deer. 



