no 



TEXT-BOOK OF ZOOLOGY 



a " brocket." In the following 



autumn the antlers, the lower, disc- 

 like ends of which are known as 

 " burrs," become loose and drop 

 off. A few days afterwards the 

 beginnings of a new pair become 

 visible, these being developed in 

 exactly the same manner as the 

 "beams" of the first year, but 

 having in addition a lateral basal 

 branch, or brow tyne, the animal 

 being now termed a "forker" (two- 

 year-old). In the next change of 

 antlers each of the beams bears two 

 branches, or prongs, 

 and the "forker " 

 has thus developed 

 into a six-point 

 buck. By further 

 additions of lateral 

 branches, as many 

 as eight or ten 

 prongs are de- 

 veloped in excep- 

 tional cases. 



5. As compared 

 with a carnivorous 

 animal (e.g., the 

 wild cat), the roe, 

 on the whole, must 

 be considered a 

 somewhat defence- 

 less animal. 

 During the time 

 the antlers are 

 being formed, even 

 the male shyly 

 avoids every 

 danger, nor would 

 the female venture 

 to defend herself 

 against the fox if she were not impelled by an all-overpowering mother's 

 love for her young. As a rule, the buck seeks salvation in speedy flight. 



Wbtfull. 



Antlers of the Roebuck and their Development. 



1. Lower end of the shed antler, with the burr, E. 



2. Upper end of a pedicle, shortly after shedding of the antler. A 

 ring-shaped swelling shows the commencement of the growth of the 

 new antler; this swelling after two weeks is larger, as at 3, and 4 (a 

 week later) shows the young antler growing out. 



5. Complete antler of a six-point stag in the velvet. 



6. Hardened and peeled antlers of a six-point buck ; K pedicles, 

 R burr. 



