162 



VEETEBRATES. 



his size, his swiftness, his strength, sufficiently distinguish Lim 

 from the rest of the inhabitants of the forest. 



The old Stags shed their horns first, which happens about 

 the end of February or the beginning of March. Stags in their 

 seventh year do not undergo this change till the middle or the 

 end of March , nor do those in their sixth year, till the month of 



stag. 



April. Aftei they have shed their horns, they separate from each 

 other; the very young ones alone associating together. Thej 

 remain no longer in covert; they seek the beautiful parts of the~ 

 country, the groves, and the open coppices, where they remain all 

 the summer, till they recover the antlers which were wont to adorn 

 their brows ; and, during this season, they carry their heads low, 

 for fear of striking them against the branches ; for they are ex- 

 ceedingly tender till they arrive at perfection. The horns of the 

 oldest Stags are scarcely half repaired by the month of .I'lay ; nor 



