THE FORESTS AND SPORT OF SIBERIA. 



145 



selves to procure these valuable antlers, which, when obtained in 

 the proper condition, are despatched as quickly as possible, especially 

 by post, to Kiachta, whence, through special merchants, thousands are 

 sent every year to China without satisfying the demand. Siberian 

 peasants also keep the Maral stag in captivity for the sole purpose 

 of cutting off the blood-charged antlers at the proper time and 



Fig. 21 —The Maral Stag 



selling them. Now, since all stags when growing their antlers 

 avoid the dense thickets, and are less wary than at other seasons, 

 and as the one- and two-year-old stags are as little spared as those 

 with crown antlers, it is obvious that the numerical strength of the 

 race must be notably impoverished, and that the breeding must also 

 be appreciably affected. The flesh and the skin obtained in the 

 slaughter are but rarely taken into consideration; if it would in- 

 volve any trouble to remove the carcase, it is usually left without 

 reluctance to the wolves and foxes. 



(m70) 



10 



