270 THE DEER OF AMERICA. 
In all the other species of our country the theca extends up 
the abdomen hardly at all, but is quite detached from it, and 
drops down vertically close to the scrotum, to a length of two 
inches or more. From this case, ordinarily, the penis does not 
entirely retreat. This is a feature which I have not elsewhere 
met among ruminants; nor do I remember to have observed it 
en any other quadruped. 
Here, then, is a very distinguishing characteristic common to 
all the lesser species of the deer, while the three larger species 
resemble in this part of their organization most other rumi- 
nants. 
There is nothing remarkable in the location of the female 
organs of any of the species, except in our Elk. In her this 
organ is situated much further below the anus than in the other 
species. It is so far down that it is not covered by the short tail 
of the animal, which, as we have seen, is about four inches long.. 
In this respect, that is, in the length of the tail, the red deer 
differs from the Wapiti. In the former, the tail is generally 
sufficiently long to cover the female organ. 
GAIT. 
In beauty of both form and motion the Virginia Deer far sur- 
passes either of the other species of the genus. Its slender, deli- 
cate legs, and its symmetrical proportions, make it an object of 
universal admiration ; but it is the indescribable ease and grace of 
its motion which fill one with absolute delight. These I have 
already described on page 155, in connection with the ornamental 
coat of this fawn, which have always associated themselves in 
my mind, each seeming to add a charm to the other, It is un- 
necessary to repeat here what was there said of the graceful 
step of the fawn of the Virginia Deer. The trot, both of the 
fawn and the adult, frequently varies to a graceful amble when 
it is about to stop, but does not change to that pace when it 
is about to increase its speed. When startled by surprise the 
Virginia Deer’s first gait is a canter, which it pursues for two, 
three, or four jumps, when it makes a high, long leap, as if to 
enable itself to take a broader survey of surrounding objects ; 
then follow a few of the ordinary lower and shorter jumps, 
which are again succeeded by the high, long leaps, and so on 
till it becomes satisfied that its apprehensions are groundless, 
when it subsides to a trot or amble, and then stops, with head 
