EUMINATING QDADRUPEDS. 



163 



lo tliey attain their full length and hardness till about the end 

 of- July, The horns of the young Stag are very late shed, 

 and very late recovered ; but when these are completely length- 

 ened, and have become quite hard, they rub them against the 

 trees, in order to clear them from the scurf with which they are 

 lovered. 



The Hinds, or females, carry their young eight months and 

 I few days. They are not all prolific ; and one sort there is in 

 particular, which is always barren. The Fawn retains this appel- 



Hind and fawn 



lation no longer than till it is six months old; then the knobs 

 Dei-in to appear, and it takes the name of a Knobber, which it 

 Dears till these knobs are lengthened to so many points, whence 

 they are termed Prickets, or Brockets. It does not quit its mother 

 early, though it grows fast, but follows her all the summer. In 

 winter, the Hinds, the Knobbers, the Prickets, and the young 

 Stags resort to the herd, forming troops, which are more numerous 

 in proportion as the season is more severe. In spring they divide, 

 the Hinds retiring to bring forth their young; and at this time 



