A FLBBT-POOTBD NEIGHBOR IN THE WOODS. 



229 



The Virginia deer {Cariacus virginianus) is not 

 only the fleetest but the most sympathetically attract- 



great group. One who 



into the liquid eyes of a 



its mother, and after- 



a gun at one or the 



tent to destroy, fol- 



ive animal of this 

 has once looked 

 young fawn and 

 ward has aimed 

 other with in- 

 lowing up the in- 

 tent with its aceom 

 plishment, burdens his 

 conscience with a sort 

 of questionable guilt for 

 the rest of his days. 

 To slay such beautiful 

 creatures seems some- 

 thing not far short of 

 murder ; but there is 

 the venison to be considered, and as that is the meat 

 of the epicure one's conscience must be smothered. 



It would seem as if I stretched a point to include 

 this rare animal in my list of familiar life ; but I do 

 not. Times have changed and the deer is not as rare 

 as he was. Last summer there were many complaints 



mother for nourishment during the helpless period of its infancy. 

 The Mammalia, in a word, are animals which suckle their young ; 

 the term is derived from the Latin, mamma, meaning "the breast." 

 Thus, we undoubtedly have sufficient reason to believe the endear- 

 ing name mamma had its origin with the Latin word. 



Virginia Deer. 



