1 8 SECRETS OP EARTH AND SEA 



the pair of small hind legs which form all that remains of 

 the smallest of the three deer. I have tried various poses 

 of the calf indicated by these legs — bucking and jumping, 

 and with fore legs closely bent to the horizontal or in a 

 more open position. The fact is there is very little in 

 existing drawings or photographs which can help us to a 

 decision of the problem, " How did the prehistoric artist 

 complete that exquisite little pair of hanging legs ? " The 

 problem is more obscure even than that of the pose of the 

 arms of the Venus of Melos. One feels sure that the 

 man who made this carving was an artist who must keep 

 a certain rhythm and flow in the action and form of the 

 three successive animals, and it is clear that he was a 

 wonderful observer of the phases of the limbs in move- 

 ment. It is, perhaps, a presumptuous thing to attempt 

 on such a basis to recall the thought of a man who died 

 twenty thousand years ago, but I set out to do so with the 

 belief that there is a necessary figure determined by those 

 hind legs. 



Some years ago, as a step towards a solution of the 

 problem, I published a " restoration " or " completion " of 

 this picture in the " Field " (May 13th, 191 1), and asked for 

 criticisms and suggestions from the readers of that journal. 

 I had no difficulty as to the completion of the biggest 

 stag by drawing in his haunches and hind-legs, but the 

 completion of the head and antlers of the smaller stag — 

 and still more the calling into being of the entire calf as 

 an inference from his or her suspended hind-feet and hoofs 

 alone — were not easy tasks. 1 consulted many authorities 

 and some instantaneous photographs, but I was not satis- 

 fied with the pose I finally suggested for the calf nor with 

 the " points " assigned by my draughtsman to the antlers of 

 the smaller stag. Some interesting suggestions were 

 made in reply to my appeal by readers of the " Field." 

 Those which seemed to me of conclusive weight and value 



